Laser ion sources for highly charged ions (invited)

Abstract

The development of laser ion sources is reviewed in the light of possible future requirement for highly charged ions at CERN. After the advent of high power Q-switched pulsed lasers in the 1960’s, there were a number of proposals to use the laser produced plasma as sources of ions. Such ion sources have been constructed for a number of uses, and in particular, for injection of ions into particle accelerators. At CERN, a new test facility has recently started operation. Initial results indicate ion currents in excess of 5 mA for lead ions with charge state about 20.