Simulation Tools for Heavy Ion Beam Charge Strippers

A major new facility for the Department of Energy is the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams. Solid foil strippers for ionizing the beams can be damaged by the beam intensity, so researchers are considering flowing gas strippers. However, the interaction of the beam with the gas is not well understood. Statement of how this problem is being addressed We propose to add computer models to an existing code to improve the understanding of interaction of a helium gas jet with beams and plasma windows. What is to be done in the Phase I In Phase I, we will add to an existing code accurate models of the interaction of beam and gas, add accurate models of the gas and plasma window, add models of an arc discharge to create the window, and improve code usability. Commercial applications and other benefits The plasma fluid tool we plan to use is presently a successful commercial software product, and the improvements we plan in this project will make it even more successful by expanding the market for this tool. The plasma arc industry is a growing market, and providing a benchmarked tool for plasma arcs will allow us to increase the sales for this tool. Key words rare isotope beam, plasma fluid model, plasma arc Summary for members of Congress A new nuclear physics facililty will enable discoveries important to medicine and nuclear waste management. Improved computer models will help improve the performance of this facility.