Heavy ion stripping by a highly-ionized laser plasma

Using projectiles of 225 keV/u O-16 ions we experimentally investigated the scientific feasibility of highly ionized plasmas as strippers for low energy heavy ion beams. A fully ionized plasma was produced by irradiating a small pellet of lithium hydride with a Nd-glass laser. For the measurement of charge state distribution of the projectiles after passage through the plasma, we developed a time-resolved magnetic spectrograph. The intensity of O-16(4+), (16)O(5+)and O-16(6+) behind the plasma target were simultaneously measured. From the measured distribution curve we have found that this plasma can yield higher charge states than conventional gaseous or solid strippers. Results of a numerical analysis are compared with the experimental data. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.