Measurements of ion velocity distributions in a large scale laser-produced plasma

Abstract

Laser-produced plasma velocity distributions are an important, but difficult quantity to measure. We present a non-invasive technique for measuring individual charge state velocity distributions of laser-produced plasmas using a high temporal and spectral resolution monochromator. The novel application of this technique is its ability to detect particles up to 7 m from their inception (significantly larger than most laboratory plasma astrophysics experiments, which take place at or below the millimeter scale). The design and assembly of this diagnostic is discussed in terms of maximizing the signal to noise ratio, maximizing the spatial and temporal resolution, and other potential use cases. The analysis and results of this diagnostic are demonstrated by directly measuring the time-of-flight velocity of all ion charge states in a laser produced carbon plasma.

Document Details

Document Type
Pub Defense Publication
Publication Date
Oct 01, 2020
Source ID
10.1063/5.0013447

Entities

People

  • C. G. Constantin
  • Christoph Niemann
  • Derek Schaeffer
  • P V Heuer
  • R S Dorst

Organizations

  • Defense Threat Reduction Agency
  • Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific
  • Princeton University
  • United States Department of Energy
  • University of California, Los Angeles

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Life Cycle Cost Analysis
  • Pulsed Power and Plasma Physics.

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy
  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster