Background: The metal vapor vacuum arc (MEVVA) ion source is a common source which provides strong metal ion flow. To trigger this ion source

a high-voltage trigger pulse generator and a high-voltage isolation pulse transformer are needed

which makes the power supply system complex. Purpose: To simplify the power supply system

a trigger method with a resistor was introduced

and some characteristics of this method were studied. Methods: The ion flow provided by different main arc current was measured

as well as the trigger current. The main arc current and the ion current were recorded with different trigger resistances. Results: Experimental results showed that

within a certain range of resistances

the larger the resistance value

the more difficult it was to success fully trigger the source. Meanwhile

the main arc rising edge became slower on the increasing in the trigger time. However

the resistance value increment had hardly impact on the intensity of ion flow extracted in the end. The ion flow became stronger with the increasing main arc current. Conclusion: The power supply system of ion source is simplified by using the trigger method with a resistor. Only a suitable resistor was needed to complete the conversion process from trigger to arc initiating.Cited