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The ion beam-plasma interaction is a relevant topic in several fields of plasma physics, from fusion devices to modern ion sources. This paper discusses the numerical modelling of the whole beam-plus-plasma-target system in case of 1+  ions entering an ECR-based charge breeder (ECR-CB). The model is able to reproduce the ion capture and the creation of the first charge states in the selected physics case, i.e. the interaction of a 85Rb1+ ions with the plasma of the 14.5 GHz PHOENIX ECR-CB installed at the Laboratoire de Physique Subatomique et de Cosmologie (LPSC) of Grenoble. The results show that a very narrow window of physical parameters for both the beam (energy and energy spread especially) and plasma (ion temperature, density, density structural distribution, self-generated ambipolar fields) exists which is able to reproduce very well the experimental results, providing an exhaustive picture of the involved phenomena. Possible non-linear interactions and the role played by the eventual onset of instabilities are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pinhole and CCD based quasi-optical x-ray imaging technique was applied to investigate the plasma of an electron cyclotron resonance ion source (ECRIS). Spectrally integrated and energy resolved images were taken from an axial perspective. The comparison of integrated images taken of argon plasma highlights the structural changes affected by some ECRIS setting parameters, like strength of the axial magnetic confinement, RF frequency and microwave power. Photon counting analysis gives precise intensity distribution of the x-ray emitted by the argon plasma and by the plasma chamber walls. This advanced technique points out that the spatial positions of the electron losses are strongly determined by the kinetic energy of the electrons themselves to be lost and also shows evidences how strongly the plasma distribution is affected by slight changes in the RF frequency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electron cyclotron resonance ion sources (ECRIS) are widely used plasma based machines for the production of intense ion beams in science and industry. The performance of modern devices is limited by the presence of the density cut-off, above which electromagnetic (EM) waves sustaining the plasma are reflected. We hereby discuss the systematic data analysis of electrostatic wave generation in an ECR prototype operating at 3.75 GHz–0.1 THz. In particular, electron Bernstein waves (EBW) have been excited. EBW have already been generated in large-scale plasma devices for thermonuclear fusion purposes. In ion sources where Lc ∼ λRF (Lc being the plasma chamber size and λRF the pumping wave wavelength) the EM field assumes a modal behaviour; thus both plasma and EM field self-organize so that no optical-like wave launching is possible (i.e. the cavity effect dominates on the optical path). The collected data, however, supported by 3D full-wave simulations, actually demonstrate that a Budden-type X-B conversion scenario can be established above some critical RF power thresholds, operating in an off-ECR regime. The generation and absorption of the EBW has been demonstrated by the presence of three peculiar signatures: along with the establishment of an overdense plasma, generation of supra-thermal electrons and modification (non-linear broadening) of the EM spectrum measured within the plasma have been observed. At the threshold establishing such a heating regime, the collected data provide evidence for a fast rotation of the electron fluid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]