Simple analysis of light-ion-beam losses in deuterium-plasma channels

Simple analysis of both ion beam energy losses and beam current density reduction is presented for deuterium plasma channels. It is found that whereas an optimum density may exist for reducing the beam energy losses in the channel, no optimum density can be found to minimize the beam current density reduction. Plasma channel radius effects are then examined. It is found that the total ion beam energy loss is not strongly dependent on the initial channel radius. We conclude that final focusing elements in conjunction with channels initially at rest allow for multiterawatt beams to be transported efficiently to 1 cm2 targets while the channel cross-section can be larger