Evolution of ion-charge-state distributions in an electron-beam ion trap

We present measurements and calculations of the evolution of the ion-charge-state distributions in an electron-beam ion trap. Direct measurements of the charge-state distributions are made with an ion extraction system. The data are used to test our computer model, which solves the set of coupled nonlinear differential equations for the energy and charge balance for all ionic species. The model is used to assess the importance of various processes in establishing the charge-state distribution.