Dense plasma diagnostics by fast proton beams

Abstract

Coulomb energy losses by 3-MeV protons in a capillary discharge channel are used as a diagnostics tool to measure the plasma density. By combining the proton energy loss data with the electron temperature measurements,we have been able to diagnose the free electron density n fe ϭ6.4ϫ10 19 cm Ϫ3 in a 3.3-eV CH 2 plasma to an accuracy of Ϯ17%. A considerably better accuracy can be expected for higher values of the electron temperature. ͓S1063-651X͑98͒08101-X͔ PACS number͑s͒: 52.40.Mj, 34.50.Bw

Frontiers of dense plasma physics with intense ion and laser beams and accelerator technology

“…Intense heavy ion beams add on to the previously existing methods since they became available from powerful ion accelerators. They contribute a number of interesting features to plasma research because they are of dual use, in the sense that they can produce the plasma by irradiation of the sample and they also provide at the same time excellent diagnostic methods to analyse the plasma properties [2][3][4]. Moreover, they are a unique tool to generate plasma at high density.…”

High energy density physics research at IMP, Lanzhou, China

“…This effect is especially pronounced at lower ion energies (E ∼ keV/u), where an enhancement factor of up to 35 has been observed [23] . Due to the strong nonlinear effects and their special importance in ICF research, more and more emphasis has been given to investigations of ion beams in the low energy range and/or of plasma with high intensity [18,[24][25][26] . In this section, the recent progress in research on low energy ion interaction with plasma is briefly introduced.…”

“…The motivations are mainly as follows: (1) the most important processes in heavy-ion-driven HED and in the burning of inertial confinement fusion (ICF) fuel; (2) plasma devices could serve as important accelerator equipment to focus an ion beam (so-called plasma lens) and/or to strip an ion beam (so-called plasma stripper) [20][21][22][23][24][25][26] .…”

Heavy ion fusion energy program in Russia

“…For this purpose carbon, krypton and lead ion beams from UNILAC in GSI are used for systematic study of charge dependent stopping of ions in capillary plasma target [7]. Explosively driven plasma target [8] has been tested with 3 MeV proton beam at ITEP experimental area with respect to the forthcoming experiments on ion stopping in non-ideal plasma.…”