A TOF system to measure the energy loss of low energy ions in a hot dense plasma

Abstract

The energy loss of 180 keV/u 28Si ions in a plasma target was measured by using a TOF system. In order to produce the target plasma a Q-switched Nd-glass laser was focused onto a small LiH (Lithium Hydride) pellet. Spherical symmetry of the plasma expansion was checked by a high speed framing camera. Using this system we found that the energy loss of the ions in the plasma was larger than that in the cold equivalent by a factor of 3.5.