Nitrogen ion spectrum from a low energy plasma focus device

Abstract

The nitrogen ion spectrum generated from a low energy Mather-type Plasma Focus device is reported. The main species of ions present are N/sup +1/, N/sup +2/, and N/sup +3/. It is found that its relative concentrations at a distance of several cm from the ion source are in agreement with those predicted for an equilibrium charge-state of the beam, and hence the spectrum of the neutral nitrogen is also derived. By taking into account the lateral spread of the beam due to multiple elastic scattering with the background gas, the derivation of absolute values for the total ion spectrum within the investigated energy range (>170 keV), the total number and total energy of the fast particles has been obtained.