Simulation of ion extraction from laser-induced plasma by electromagnetic fields

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Abstract
The particle-in-cell (PIC) method is extended to allow for particle elastic collisions through the use of the Langevin equation. The one-dimensional, in cylindrical space coordinates, and three-dimensional in velocity coordinates (1D3V), electromagnetic PIC model is used to simulate the dynamics of a plasma produced in the system of two coaxial cylinders by selective laser photoionization in external fields. The electromagnetic fields and the plasma dynamics are solved in a self-consistent manner. Elastic electron–atom, electron–ion, and charge exchange collisions are included in the model. The extraction of ions from the weakly collisional plasma by the electrostatic, crossed electrostatic, and magnetic (E×H), rf, and alternating magnetic fields have been explored to compare the characteristics of various extractors relevant to atomic vapor laser isotope separation (AVLIS).