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 ener gy heavy ion beams. A fully ionized plasma was produced by irradiating a sm all pellet of lithium hydride with a Nd-glass laser. For the measurement of charge state distribution of the projectiles after passage through the pla sma, 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 pla sma can yield higher charge states than conventional gaseous or solid strip pers. Results of a numerical analysis are compared with the experimental da ta. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.