LASER ION-SOURCE FOR HEAVY-ION SYNCHROTRONS (INVITED)

status overview of the development of laser ion sources suited to heav y ion synchrotrons is presented. The results of experimental and theor etical studies, recently obtained at a number of laboratories, for las er-produced highly charged heavy ions are summarized for plasmas heate d by long wavelength lasers. Design of a powerful repetition rate CO2 laser, target interaction chamber, and extraction system suited for re liable long term operation mode with real accelerators is discussed. R equirements for the final performance of the laser ion sources for ion beam injectors at the ITEP-Moscow and CERN accelerator facilities are given. (C) 1998 American Institute of Physics.