High-Voltage Variable Resistor for Ion Energy Spectroscopy

A high-voltage variable resistor was designed, built, and implemented to modify an ion-energy spectrometer for the study of ion-atom collisions in which the projectiles change charge. The resistor is remotely switchable from 0 to 2050 MΩ and has a voltage rating of 200 kV. The design criteria and the electrical and mechanical details of the apparatus are discussed. The design and construction of an ancillary device, comprising two precision resistive-divider voltmeters, are also discussed