Application of cryotarget to laser ion source

We examined laser-produced argon plasma as part of a future laser ion source. Rare gases, which are in gas state at room temperature, need to be cooled to solid targets for laser irradiation. We generated solid Ar targets in a similar way used for neon. By irradiating the solid Ar with a neodymium doped yttrium aluminum garnet laser, we could generate Ar ions with a charge stage up to 8+ with a good stability. The feature of generated Ar plasma using this method is similar to the Ne case. The ion current density reached about 1.6 mA/cm2 at 2.3 m from the target. This method would be applicable for a laser ion source