Plasma instability inside solenoid with laser ion source

Area of Science:

• Plasma physics
• Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS)
• Beam generation

Background:

• Laser ion sources can suppress plasma divergence using solenoids.
• Plasma instability has been previously observed after solenoid transport.
• Understanding instability within the solenoid is crucial for beam control.

Purpose of the Study:

• Investigate the characteristics of plasma instability inside a solenoid.
• Determine the influence of magnetic field strength and position on plasma stability.
• Identify the optimal operating range of the solenoid for Au¹⁺ beam generation.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a solenoid with a laser ion source.
• Employed a Faraday cup to detect plasma instability.
• Systematically varied magnetic field strength and Faraday cup position within the solenoid.

Main Results:

• Plasma instability was detected within the solenoid.
• Increasing magnetic field strength shifted the onset of instability upstream.
• Plasma instability gradually decreased with transport distance through the solenoid.
• Detailed operational magnetic field ranges for stable Au¹⁺ beam transport were established.

Conclusions:

• The study elucidates the dynamics of plasma instability within solenoids.
• Findings provide critical data for optimizing laser-driven ion beam generation.
• The research identifies specific magnetic field regimes for stable Au¹⁺ beam transport.