AU49(-PRODUCED PLASMAS(), PB50(+), AND TA48(+) IONS FROM LASER)

Results of generation of intense currents of highly charged ions of he avy elements from laser-produced Au, Pb, and Ta plasmas are reported. High-power iodine laser PERUN operating with lambda=1.315 mu m was use d for that purpose; Using a parabolic mirror with a hole in the center instead of a focusing lens increased the efficiency of the illuminati on system and made the ion measurements along the target normal possib le. Multiply charged ions were recorded with an ion energy analyzer in a distance of 240 cm. (C) 1996 American Institute of Physics.