The new ECR ion source of the ATOMKI: A tool to generate highly charged heavy ion plasma and beam

Between 1993 and 1996 a 14 GHz electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) ion source has been designed and built in the ATOMKI. The ion source is aimed for the production of highly charged heavy ion beams from a wide range of the elements. One of the most important planned applications in the near future is its usage for low energy ion-atom collisions. This ion source is the first ECR ion source in Hungary and in Middle-Eastern Europe as well. The first plasma was successfully generated in February 1996 and the first extracted beam is expected in the fall of the year. This paper briefly reviews the history and progress of the ECR program and shows the ECR ion source itself. The results of some indirect plasma measurements (X-ray spectra) are shown and discussed.