Development of a plasma lens as a fine focusing lens for heavy-ion beams

Within the framework of the «High Energy Density in Matter» program, an experiment has been designed to focus a heavy-ion beam onto a very small spot, using a plasma lens. A spot diameter of 200 μm (FWHM) was desired to get the necessary energy density on the target to create a plasma. A flexible system has been designed in order to explore the various discharge, mechanisms. Design considerations and a beam test with the first stage of the system are discussed.