Single shot charge analyzer for laser-produced plasma studies

Abstract

The theory and design of a single shot charge analyzer is described which is capable of separating a multispecies ion beam from an instantaneous point source of plasma, such as laser-produced plasma, into several single species ion beams. A time-dependent deflection in planar geometry is employed which continuously steers each ion beam into a separate Faraday cup. Two important processes, space charge spreading of the ion beams and charge exchange with background gas in the chamber, that may alter the performance of the analyzer, are studied in detail. The charge state distribution of a laser-produced plasma obtained by this device is compared to that obtained by a 45° electrostatic analyzer using multiple laser shots.