Space-charge-limited current in a miniaturized quadrupole channel

We present measurements on the transport of low‐energy ions through a miniaturized electrostatic quadrupole channel. These are done at a zero‐current phase advance per cell of 60°. The limiting current is 50% smaller than is calculated with the Kapchinsky–Vladimirsky equations. This reduction is attributed to mismatch and misalignment, which have a pronounced influence in a miniaturized channel.