A Long-life Laser Ion Source Using a Reproducible Solidified Gas Target

Abstract

A novel laser ion source using a reproducible cryogenic target has been developed for next-generation heavy-ion cancer therapy accelerators. A solid thin layer of butane formed on a cylindrical cold head cooled with liquid nitrogen is ablated by a frequency-doubled Nd:YAG laser to generate high-charged carbon ions. The properties and reproducibility of the carbon plasmas produced under various conditions are investigated.