Published January 1999 | Version v1
Journal article

Spectroscopic Measurements of Argon Plasma Formation by a High-Intensity Lithium Ion Beam

  • 1. Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185 (United States)
  • 2. Fusion Technology Institute, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706 (United States)
  • 3. Mission Research Corporation, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106 (United States)
  • 4. K-Tech Corporation, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87110 (United States)

Description

We describe the first measurements of plasma formation by a 20thinspthinspnsec, 9thinspthinspMeV, 20 kA/cm2 Li+3 ion beam injected into 2-Torr argon, conditions similar to inertial-fusion ion-beam transport requirements. A new visible-spectroscopy diagnostic exploits ion-beam-excited Ar II transitions to measure the time-resolved plasma electron density (1015 cm-3 endash 1016 cm-3) and temperature (1 endash 2thinspthinspeV) during the initial breakdown phase. Stark broadening and line intensity ratios are used as diagnostics after the plasma forms. Comparisons with computer simulations examine intense-beam effects important for the transport of light- and heavy-ion beams. copyright 1999 The American Physical Society

Additional details

Publishing Information

Journal Title
Physical Review Letters
Journal Volume
82
Journal Issue
4
Journal Page Range
p. 739-742
ISSN
0031-9007
CODEN
PRLTAO

INIS

Country of Publication
United States
Country of Input or Organization
United States
INIS RN
30021379
Subject category
S70: PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY;
Descriptors DEI
ARGON; BEAM-PLASMA SYSTEMS; ELECTRON DENSITY; ELECTRON TEMPERATURE; ION BEAMS; LITHIUM; LITHIUM IONS; PLASMA DENSITY; PLASMA DIAGNOSTICS; PLASMA PRODUCTION; STARK EFFECT
Descriptors DEC
ALKALI METALS; BEAMS; CHARGED PARTICLES; ELEMENTS; IONS; METALS; NONMETALS; RARE GASES