Cascade emission in electron beam ion trap plasma

We present investigation of the influence of cascade emission to the formation of spectra from plasma created by electron beam ion trap (EBIT) in electron trapping mode. It has been shown that cascade emission can play an important role in the formation of spectra from the EBIT plasma. Process of the cascade emission takes place when ion having cycloidal orbit leaves electron beam where coronal approximation is applicable. Thus both processes – excitation from ground or metastable levels and cascade emission – take part in the population of levels. Demonstration is based on the investigation of W13+ spectra. The present investigation helps to resolve long-standing discrepancies; in particular, the present structure of W13+ spectra is in good agreement with measurements on electron beam ion trap. Lines in the experimental spectra are identified as 4f135s5p→4f135s2 and 4f125s5p2→4f125s25p transitions from Dirac-Fock-Slater calculations. -- Highlights: •Cascade emission is studied in electron trapping mode of the EBIT. •Corona model is used to find population of levels in the electron beam. •Cascade emission is investigated outside the electron beam. •Lines in the EBIT spectrum of W13+ are identified