To meet the requirement of fusion research for neutral beam injection,
Southwestem Institute of Physics began the development of high curren
t ion sources in the late seventies. A 7 cm duoPIGatron ion source, a
7 X 35 cm multifilament field free ion source, and an 8.5 cm multicusp
ion source have successively been designed, built, and tested. The 7
cm duoPIGatron ion source was developed to study physical and technolo
gical aspects relevant to the high current ion source. The 8.5 cm mult
icusp ion source was developed to provide neutral beam injection for a
mirror device MM-2U. It produces a 9 A, 25 keV, 50 ms hydrogen ion be
am. In addition, a lithium ion source for plasma diagnostics has been
developed.