Generation of High Charge State Metal Ions in Plasma of High Current Short Pulse Duration Vacuum Arc

Highly charged metal ion beams are used in both fundamental and applied fields, e.g., nuclear and atomic physics, surface modification. Here we present experimental data on the generation of very highly charged heavy metal ions in the plasma of a short high-current vacuum arc. The mean ion charge state in the plasma is higher than 10+, and the current of ion beams of duration ≈ 10 μs is hundred milliamperes at an accelerating voltage of up to 60 kV. Also discussed are methods of increasing the pulse duration and stability of ion beams produced in vacuum arc plasmas.