Angular distribution of ion beam emitted from a 3.5 kJ plasma focus device using different shapes of anodes

• The angular distribution of Ar ions emitted from a 3.5 kJ PFD with four different anode tips is studied.
• The maximum ion flux is obtained with cylindrical-flat anode tip.
• The ion beam angular distribution is significantly reduced at angles higher than ±11°±11°.

The distribution of argon ion beam emitted from a small plasma focus device (PFD) with four different anode tips i.e., cylindrical with a flat top, cylindrical with a hollow top, cone with a flat top, and cone with a hollow top is studied at various working pressures. The angular distribution of ions is significantly reduced at angles higher than ±11°±11° and the maximum ion emission is between 0° and 11°. The maximum ion flux of about 5.57×10125.57×1012 ions/steradian is obtained with cylindrical-flat anode tip that increases to 9.82×10129.82×1012 ions/steradian per shot for cone-flat anode tip.