Time-resolved measurement of energy loss of low-energy heavy ions in a plasma using a surface-barrier charged-particle detector

Abstract

We tested an experimental setup for measurement of non-linear stopping of low-energy heavy ions in non-ideal plasmas. In this setup, we used a silicon surface-barrier charged-particle detector (SSBD), which could measure the energy of single ions. For synchronization between the plasma production and the injection of single projectiles, a fast beam kicker was installed in front of the plasma target. In order to test this setup, we used a laser-produced polyethylene plasma target instead of a shock-driven plasma device, which is under R&D process. Results of a preliminary energy loss measurement for low-speed heavy ions in the laser plasma are reported. Performance on the time resolution evaluated by using a carbon-foil target is also presented.