Ag ion generation irradiated by Nd:YAG laser onto solid target for use of direct plasma injection scheme

Direct plasma injection scheme (DPIS) is an acceleration scheme which consists of laser ion source and a radio frequency quadrupole linac (RFQ) linac for high current heavy ion acceleration. With this scheme, over 60 mA of carbon and aluminum beam was achieved at the RFQ exit. We are planning to accelerate Ag ions as a heavier material than used previously. Ag plasma properties using Nd:YAG laser (2.3 J/6 ns) were measured toward the acceleration with DPIS. The results showed that the highest ion yield was obtained at Ag(15+). Based on these results, multicharged Ag ion transportation inside RFQ was simulated and the expected current at the exit of RFQ was over 14 mA for Ag(15+) using the RFQ dedicated for Ag acceleration.