Fast ion emission from the plasma produced by the PALS laser system

This paper presents the results of studies of fast ion emission from the multiply charged high-Z number plasma generated using the PALS high-energy iodine laser system (⩽1.2 kJ, 0.4 ns) at the PALS Research Center in Prague. The properties of the emitted ion streams were investigated using ion collectors located at various angles with respect to the target normal and an electrostatic energy analyser. The x-ray emission from the plasma was measured using semiconductor detectors. Different groups of ions (slow, thermal and fast) were observed in the ion collector signals. Ion current densities higher than 80 mA cm−2 at ∼1 m from the target were demonstrated. The charge velocity distribution, ion current density and angular distribution of ion charge emission, as well as total charge and average ion energy were obtained from these signals. Using the electrostatic ion-energy analyser, the emission of highly charged heavy ions (Ta52+, Ag38+) with energies up to 7 MeV for Ta ions was demonstrated. The dependence of ion stream parameters on the experimental conditions is discussed. We also report the results of preliminary experiments on the direct implantation of laser-produced ions into various materials.