Embodiments of systems, devices, and methods relate to initiating beam transport for an accelerator system. An example method includes increasing a bias voltage of one or more electrodes of the accelerator system to a first voltage level and extracting a charged particle beam from a beam source such that the beam is transported through the accelerator system. The beam has a beam current that results in a first transient voltage drop within a threshold. The method further includes increasing the beam current at a rate that results in one or more subsequent transient voltage drops within the threshold until the accelerator system has reached nominal conditions. Another example method includes biasing one or more electrodes of an accelerator system and selectively extracting, according to a duty cycle function, a charged particle beam from a beam source such that the charged particle beam is transported through the accelerator system.

Metallic bodies are provided having a lithium layer and a metallic substrate. The metallic bodies can exhibit increased resistance to radiation-induced deformations such as blistering. Methods are provided for transitioning the metallic bodies into more blister resistant configurations, as our methods for diminishing or eliminating blisters previously formed. Systems for utilizing the metallic bodies and methods are also disclosed.

Embodiments of systems, devices, and methods relate to a beam system. An example beam system includes a charged particle source configured to generate a beam of charged particles, a pre-accelerator system configured to accelerate the beam, and an accelerator configured to accelerate the beam from the pre-accelerator system. The pre-accelerator system can cause the beam to converge as it is propagated from the source to an input aperture of the accelerator. The pre-accelerator system can further reduce or eliminate source disturbance or damage caused by backflow traveling from the accelerator toward the source.

Embodiments of systems, devices, and methods relating to a charge exchange system having one or more guard apparatuses are described. The guard apparatuses can include one or more guard electrodes, optionally with one or more screen electrodes. Also described are embodiments of beam systems incorporating one or more charge exchange systems.

Embodiments of systems, devices, and methods relate to an ion beam source system. An ion source is configured to provide a negative ion beam to a tandem accelerator system downstream of the ion source, and a modulator system connected to an extraction electrode of the ion source is configured to bias the extraction electrode for a duration sufficient to maintain acceleration voltage stability of the tandem accelerator system.

Metallic bodies are provided having a lithium layer and a metallic substrate. The metallic bodies can exhibit increased resistance to radiation-induced deformations such as blistering. Methods are provided for transitioning the metallic bodies into more blister resistant configurations, as our methods for diminishing or eliminating blisters previously formed. Systems for utilizing the metallic bodies and methods are also disclosed.

Embodiments of systems, devices, and methods relate to initiating beam transport for an accelerator system. An example method includes increasing a bias voltage of one or more electrodes of the accelerator system to a first voltage level and extracting a charged particle beam from a beam source such that the beam is transported through the accelerator system. The beam has a beam current at a first beam current level that results in a first transient voltage drop of the accelerator system within a threshold. The method further includes increasing the beam current at a rate that results in one or more subsequent transient voltage drops of the accelerator system until the accelerator system has reached nominal conditions. The one or more subsequent transient voltage drops are within the threshold. Another example method includes biasing one or more electrodes of an accelerator system to a voltage level and selectively extracting, according to a duty cycle function, a charged particle beam from a beam source such that the charged particle beam is transported through the accelerator system. The duty cycle function can be linear or non-linear and can include a frequency f. The duty cycle function can include a variable pulse duration such that the variable pulse duration increases over time with each selective extraction of the charged particle beam.

Embodiments of systems, devices, and methods relate to an ion beam source system. An ion source is configured to provide a negative ion beam to a tandem accelerator system downstream of the ion source, and a modulator system connected to an extraction electrode of the ion source is configured to bias the extraction electrode for a duration sufficient to maintain acceleration voltage stability of the tandem accelerator system.

Embodiments of systems, devices, and methods relate to a beam system. An example beam system includes a charged particle source configured to generate a beam of charged particles, a pre-accelerator system configured to accelerate the beam, and an accelerator configured to accelerate the beam from the pre-accelerator system. The pre-accelerator system can cause the beam to converge as it is propagated from the source to an input aperture of the accelerator. The pre-accelerator system can further reduce or eliminate source disturbance or damage caused by backflow traveling from the accelerator toward the source.

Metallic bodies are provided having a lithium layer and a metallic substrate. The metallic bodies can exhibit increased resistance to radiation-induced deformations such as blistering. Methods are provided for transitioning the metallic bodies into more blister resistant configurations, as our methods for diminishing or eliminating blisters previously formed. Systems for utilizing the metallic bodies and methods are also disclosed.