Abstract
Over the last two years the Spallation Neutron Source
(SNS) has ramped up the repetition rate, pulse length, and
the beam current to reach 540 kW, which has challenged
many subsystems including the H- source designed and
built by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL).
This paper discusses the major modifications of the H- source
implemented to consistently and routinely output
the beam current required by the SNS beam power ramp
up plan. At this time, 32 mA LINAC beam current are
routinely produced, which meets the requirement for 690
kW planned for end of 2008. In June 2008, a 14-day
production run used 37 mA, which is close to the 38 mA
required for 1.44 MW. A medium energy beam transport
(MEBT) beam current of 46 mA was demonstrated on
September 2, 2008.
