A pulsed, cold‐cathode ion source has been developed to produce multiply charged ions for use in a linear accelerator. Milliampere currents of such ions as He42+, C122+, N143+, O163+, Ne203+, and smaller currents of S325+and A406+have been produced in focused beams.Mass spectra of the various ionization states produced by the arc are presented. Constructional details of the source and the associated electronic equipment are given, and operating characteristics of the source and ion extraction are discussed.