  We report on a successful test of a new method for intense ion beam formation
using an extraction with inhomogeneous electric field. Its key feature is a
special shape of the extraction electrodes providing a higher rate of ion
acceleration. It is applicable to any ion source type and could be used to
improve performance of a wide range of plasma devices. The proof of concept was
carried out using a high-current electron-cyclotron resonance ion source SMIS
37. High efficiency of the new extraction and proton beam formation with a
record current density of up to 1.1 A cm-2 was demonstrated.
