Characterization and hydrodynamic expansion of Fe plasma generated by pulsed radiation of C O2 - TEA

Measurements of ion density, ion temperature, electron temperature and velocity of Fe plasma expansion were done. The plasma was obtained by focusing coherent radiation pulse emitted by C O2 - TEA laser, on iron solid target placed in a vacuum chamber. A simple Langmuir probe was constructed and used for measuring electron temperature and electron density. The ion temperature was measured by multi-grade electrostatic analyser, and the velocity of hydrodynamic expansion was obtained by time-of-flight of plasma. (M.C.K.)