Motion of off-centered beams in an RFQ for basic researches on nuclear
transmutation was analyzed by using a beam optics computer code. In t
his analysis not only higher-order harmonics in the intervane potentia
l but also 3D beam-generated forces including image effects were taken
into account. Beam loss property and transmission efficiency were inv
estigated for different input beam currents as well as for different i
njection angles. Results are compared with predictions by the PARMTEQ
code. Enhancement of beam displacement at the exit of the cavity as we
ll as increase in transverse beam loss was observed as effects of the
image charge force. In any case beam loss due to the image effects was
less than 3% of the injected particles. For beam injection angles lar
ger than 1 degrees, the beam transmission efficiency decreased owing t
o non-linear terms in the intervane potential. Tolerance for the error
in beam injection angle into the RFQ cavity is also discussed.