Development of a high-current laser ion source for induction accelerators

Abstract

We have developed a high-current laser ion source that can provide low-charge-state ions for induction accelerators. A frequency-doubled Nd:YAG laser (λ=532 nm) irradiated a copper target with relatively low intensities of 108–109 W/cm2. The laser-produced plasma supplied a large number of Cu+ and Cu2+ ions over 1014 ions/cm2 at a distance of 10 cm from the target. We have successfully extracted high-current copper beams over 0.1 A/cm2 using an inductive acceleration module. The beam emittance measured by a pepper-pot method was about 40 πmm mrad. © 2000 American Institute of Physics.