Production of Pulsed Particle Beams by Photodetachment ofH−

Photodetachment of electrons from an ${\mathrm{H}}^{-}$ beam by means of a $Q$-switched Nd laser can produce a pulsed ${\mathrm{H}}^0$ beam. We have been able to produce 20-40-nsec ${\mathrm{H}}^0$ pulses with near 100% efficiency. The technique is proposed for selection of single micropulses (¼ nsec) at the Los Alamos Meson Physics Facility for use in a high-resolution time-of-flight system, and is of potential usefulness for other negative-ion accelerators.