Acceleration of Ta¹⁰⁺ ions produced by laser ion source in RFQ MAXILAC

Abstract

Demonstration of matching a laser ion source to the GSI RFQ-Maxilac linear accelerator and the acceleration of a 1.8-mA current beam of Ta 10+ ions up to 45 keV/u energy is presented. A 10J/μs CO 2 laser has been used to produce a hot plasma plume, emitting highly charged tantulum ions. The correct geometry and potential distribution of the matching section has been designed in accordance with the results of computer simulations by using the AXCEL code. Measurements of the charge state distribution of the accelerated beam indicate that it contains about 70% Ta 10+ and 30% Ta 11+ ions.