Plasma Focus as a lens for intense ion beam focusing

Experimental investigations were performed to evaluate the focusing propert ies of the plasma focus for high-energy intense ion beams manipulating. Mag netic probes and optical spectroscopy were used for temporal and spatial pl asma geometry investigations. Ion beam portrait was determined at the lumin escence screen. In the experiments performed, the focusing coefficient was obtained as the ten times beam compression at the 30 cm length. By variatio ns of the gas volume input, gun voltage, time delay, magnetic field value e tc. the dependence of focused ion beam diameter upon various parameters of the plasma focus lens has been investigated. It was revealed that the main focusing effect was caused by the azimuthal magnetic field of the currents carried by the plasma.