Static and dynamic characteristics of plasma lens with modified magnetic field geometry

Abstract

We describe some results of the investigation of static and dynamic characteristics of a plasma lens (PL) with a modified configuration of magnetic field lines. The axial and radial field gradients are minimized in the central region of the lens. This should promote the suppression of nonlinear vortex-like structures and the decrease of spherical aberrations. The characteristics of the focused broad heavy metal ion beams have been measured. The focusing properties of the lens significantly depend on the beam current, on the mode of power supplying to the PL electrodes and on the magnetic field strength. Studying the PL properties in a range of low magnetic fields has shown that the focusing possesses a nonstationary character and a regular decrease of the lens strength is observed. At the same time, the presence of regimes with the absence of focusing breakups and noise growth of the ion beam focused by the lens is determined.