Fast ion generation in the cathode plasma jet of a multipicosecond laser-triggered vacuum discharge

Journal Article · Mon Mar 15 04:00:00 EDT 2010 · Review of Scientific Instruments

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3354983· OSTI ID:22053950

Moorti, A; Naik, P A; Gupta, P D ^[1]

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1. Laser Plasma Division, Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology, Indore 452013 (India)

Ion generation in the cathode plasma jet of a moderate-current ({approx}2.3 kA), low-energy ({<=}20 J) vacuum spark discharge triggered by {approx}27 ps, 10 mJ laser pulses is studied using time of flight technique. Fastest ion velocity and velocity corresponding to the peak of the time of flight signals for Al cathode were measured to be {approx}5.25x10{sup 8} cm/s (energy of {approx}143 keV/u) and {approx}8.1x10{sup 7} cm/s (energy of {approx}3.4 keV/u), respectively. Corresponding velocities in the case of ions generated from laser-produced Al plasma (energy of {approx}550 mJ, intensity of {approx}10{sup 14} W/cm{sup 2}) were found to be much smaller, viz., {approx}1.05x10{sup 8} cm/s (energy of {approx}5.75 keV/u) and {approx}2.63x10{sup 7} cm/s (energy of {approx}0.36 keV/u), respectively. Study shows efficient acceleration of ions in a current-carrying cathode plasma jet of a small-energy multipicosecond laser-triggered spark discharge as compared with that in a high-energy multipicosecond laser-produced plasma plume.

• OSTI ID: 22053950
• Journal Information: Review of Scientific Instruments, Journal Name: Review of Scientific Instruments Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 81; ISSN 0034-6748; ISSN RSINAK
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
CATHODES
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
ELECTRIC DISCHARGES
IONS
KEV RANGE
LASER-PRODUCED PLASMA
PLASMA JETS
PULSES
TIME-OF-FLIGHT METHOD