High Voltage Technique for Nuclear Physics Studies

A description is given of experiments at the Department of Terrestrial Magnetism, Carnegie Institution of Washington, during four years in which two electrostatic generators and several multiple-section high voltage tubes have been used for the production of high speed protons and deuterons, as required for studies of nuclear transmutations. A 1-meter diameter generator of the type designed by Van de Graaff reaches usable steady potentials up to 600 kilovolts (positive). A generator comprising concentric 1-meter and 2-meter shells, charging current 0.75 milliampere, reaches practical limitations at 1300 kilovolts (positive) in a special room of large size. Voltages below the maximum are steady to within several percent. Details of design and operation are discussed.