Production and diagnosis of a lithium anode plasma source for intense ion beam diodes
A scheme for the production of a thin layer of dense lithium plasma is outlined, and the results of a proof-of-principle experiment are presented. Our objective is to produce a thin layer of lithium plasma for the anode plasma of an intense ion beam diode, such as the one being designed for inertial confinement fusion experiments with the Particle Beam Fusion Accelerator II. Minimum requirements for the lithium anode plasma density, thickness, and purity are developed. Production of a lithium vapor layer by pulsed evaporation, and plasma formation by laser ionization based on resonant saturation (LIBORS) of the vapor are described. Lithium was evaporated, by ohmic heating with a two step capacitor discharge, from a thin layer of lithium silver alloy deposited on a tantalum foil. A two-photon pumped fluoresence technique was developed and used to characterize the density and thickness of the vapor layer. A peak vapor density near 1 x 10 W cm T with a thickness of a few millimeters was observed. The electron density of the final plasma was inferred from broadening of the 460.3 nm lithium line, and agreed with the lithium neutral density within experimental uncertainty, for several different lithium densities.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Laboratories, P.O. Box 5800, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-76DP00789
- OSTI ID:
- 6171235
- Journal Information:
- J. Appl. Phys.; (United States), Vol. 59:2
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Development of the BOLVAPS-LIBORS (Boil-Off Lithium VAPor Source-Laser Ionization Based On Resonance Saturation) lithium ion source for the PBFA-2 (Particle Beam Fusion Accelerator-2) accelerator
Development of a high-brightness, applied-B lithium extraction ion diode for inertial confinement fusion
Related Subjects
LASER-PRODUCED PLASMA
PLASMA DIAGNOSTICS
PLASMA PRODUCTION
PARTICLE BEAM FUSION ACCELERATOR
FLUORESCENCE SPECTROSCOPY
ANODES
ELECTRON DENSITY
ION BEAMS
LITHIUM
THICKNESS
ACCELERATORS
ALKALI METALS
BEAMS
DIMENSIONS
ELECTRODES
ELEMENTS
EMISSION SPECTROSCOPY
METALS
PLASMA
SPECTROSCOPY
700208* - Fusion Power Plant Technology- Inertial Confinement Technology
700102 - Fusion Energy- Plasma Research- Diagnostics