Current nuclear structure studies demand a wide range of heavy negative ion beams for tandem acceleration. Some of the wanted isotopes have low natural abundances and many have low or negative electron affinities. For these, gas injection or the use of hydrides, oxides, or fluorides is required to achieve usable intensities. The chemical properties of the target materials, and of the additive gases used to form molecular ions, often have detrimental effects on ion source performance and life. These effects include insulator breakdown, ionizer poisoning, and the erosion or deposition of material on critical electrodes. Methods of controlling sputter source conditions are being studied on the Wright Nuclear Structure Laboratory ion source test bench with the object of extending source life, increasing target efficiency, and achieving consistent negative ion outputs. Results are reported for several heavy ions including tellurium, neodymium, and ytterbium. ©1998 American Institute of Physics.