Abstract
For the first time a heavy-ion beam was focused using a z-pinch plasma lens. The diameter of an incident, parallel, 460-MeV argon-ion beam was reduced from ∼8 mm (FWHM) to ∼2 mm within 230 mm downstream of the plasma. Inside a cylindrically symmetric plasma column a high-gradient, azimuthal magnetic field is produced during a z-pinch discharge. For axially moving, high-energy charged particles this field configuration provides strong, first-order focusing simultaneously in both transversal planes. The measured spot size agrees with numerical calculations taking into account the finite beam emittance, and charge exchange as well as energy-loss processes contributing to aberrations.
- Received 6 December 1990
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.66.1705
©1991 American Physical Society