Study of the ion composition of an expanding magnesium plasma produced by a CO2 laser

The evolution of the ion composition of a laser plasma during its expansion over a large distance is studied. The plasma is produced by a TIR CO2 lase r with a pulse energy up to 100 J and duration of similar to 20 ns. X-ray d iagnostics with the use of a spectrograph and X-ray PIN diodes was applied to study the plasma near the target surface. At large distances from the ta rget surface, time-of-flight neutral-particle diagnostics with the use of a n electrostatic analyzer and ion collector was applied. Calculations perfor med with the GIDRA-1 code agree well with experimental data. (C) 2000 MAIK "Nauka / Interperiodica".