At the Laser Plasma Physics laboratories of the University of Messina, an experimental platform for generating and accelerating low-energy ions (keV) using pulsed lasers and for their potential applications has been put into operation. A Q-switched Nd:YAG laser produces the beam for the system, operating at 1064 nm. It is pulsed with a 3 ns duration, pulse energy adjustable from 10 mJ to 1 J, and repetition frequency adjustable from single-pulse operation to 10 Hz. It enables the stable production of high-current ion beams of all species in the periodic table, especially heavy elements with high boiling points and high latent heat of evaporation. The laser-plasma ion sources, produced in vacuum, were characterised as a function of the laser intensity on the target by varying the laser parameters and providing evidence of the important role of the latent heat of evaporation of the heavy irradiated targets for the production of ions. The versatility and tunability of such laser-plasma ion sources are of potential interest for many applications in research, industry, medicine, nuclear physics, analysis and processing of innovative materials and more.
Advantages of Pulsed Laser Ion Source (LIS) at an Intensity of About 10^10 W/cm^2 for Heavy‐Ion Injection Into High‐Energy Accelerators
Torrisi, A.
2026-01-01
Abstract
At the Laser Plasma Physics laboratories of the University of Messina, an experimental platform for generating and accelerating low-energy ions (keV) using pulsed lasers and for their potential applications has been put into operation. A Q-switched Nd:YAG laser produces the beam for the system, operating at 1064 nm. It is pulsed with a 3 ns duration, pulse energy adjustable from 10 mJ to 1 J, and repetition frequency adjustable from single-pulse operation to 10 Hz. It enables the stable production of high-current ion beams of all species in the periodic table, especially heavy elements with high boiling points and high latent heat of evaporation. The laser-plasma ion sources, produced in vacuum, were characterised as a function of the laser intensity on the target by varying the laser parameters and providing evidence of the important role of the latent heat of evaporation of the heavy irradiated targets for the production of ions. The versatility and tunability of such laser-plasma ion sources are of potential interest for many applications in research, industry, medicine, nuclear physics, analysis and processing of innovative materials and more.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
