A plasma target for the investigation of the interaction of fast heavy ions with hot matter

The experimental investigation of the interaction of fast heavy-ion beams with hot matter is of fundamental interest for atomic physics and plasma physics. In a beam-plasma experiment, an electrically generated plasma will be used as a target for the ion beam from the stripper region of the UNILAC at the GSI, Darmstadt. The aim is the measurement of charge state (q) and energy loss (dE/dx) of the ion projectiles traversing the plasma target. A modified z-pinch device was designed to meet the target requirements, which are among others: plasma parameters and geometry matched to the ion beam features, controlled and homogeneous plasma state free of instabilities. The dynamics of the z-pinch plasma is observed with image converter and streak cameras. The measurements show that a uniform cylindrical plasma can be generated with a length of 20 cm and a diameter of >5 mm. An electron density greater than 1018 cm-3 is measured interferometrically during the pinch phase. (orig.)