Multiple charge states of titanium ions in laser produced plasma

An intense laser radiation (10(12) to 10(14) W/cm(-2)) focused on the solid target creates a hot (greater than or equal to 1 keV) and dense plasma having high ionization state. The multiple charged ions with high current densities produced during laser matter interaction have potential application in accelerators as an ion source. This paper presents generation and detection of highly stripped titanium ions (Ti) in laser produced plasma. An Nd:glass laser (KAMETRON) delivering 50 J energy (lambda = 0.53 mum) in 2.5 ns was focused onto a titanium target to produce plasma. This plasma was allowed to drift across a space of similar to3 m through a diagnostic hole in the focusing mirror before ions are finally detected with the help of electrostatic ion analyzer. Maximum current density was detected for the charge states of +16 and +17 of Ti ions for laser intensity of similar to 10(14) W/cm(-2).