Multiply stripped ion generation in the metal vapor vacuum arc

We consider the charge state distribution of ions produced in the metal vapor vacuum arc plasma discharge. A high current metal ion source, the MEVVA ion source, in which the ion beam is extracted from a metal vapor vacuum arc plasma, has been used to obtain the spectra of multiple charged ions produced within the cathode spots. A computer calculation of the charge state distribution that evolves within the spots via stepwide ionization of ions by electron impact provides a theoretical basis for comparison of the data. In this paper we report on the measured charge state distributions for a wide variety of metallic species and compare these results with the predictions of this theory. 55 refs.