Charge State Measurements with Photocell Detectors

Measuring charge state distributions (CSD) of few electron systems, like lithium, through various targets can provide information to fill gaps in existing models. There is a need to look at target and ion velocity dependence for few electron systems and compare them with heavy ion interactions. Ultimately, there is a scientific need to probe the interactions between ion and target in order to understand the influences that each have on one another. The development, building, and characterizing of a photodiode array creates an effective tool for making measurements in ion beam experiments. Photodiodes as detectors provide distinct advantages over conventional silicon detectors in a laboratory setting. They are less sensitive to radiation damage, cost effective, easily replaceable, and a valuable teaching tool for undergraduates and graduate students alike. Other than a teaching tool their immediate experimental application will be as a beam monitor. The data presented shows test chamber results, the effects of beam induced damaged, and first CSD measurements.