A propulsion system for spacecraft is based on an electric engine that expels propellant to achieve thrust. The propellant is first ionized to generate a plasma. Plasma particles are selectively accelerated via a pulsed laser that accelerates predominantly the electrons in the plasma. The electrons are expelled first, forming a space charge that acts as a virtual cathode to accelerate the positive ions. Interactions between the laser beam and plasma electrons are predominantly through the ponderomotive force.

Described in this disclosure is a laser target comprised of a liquid film creation device that is configured to form a liquid laser target. Methods of forming a liquid thin-film laser target are also described.

Described in this disclosure is a laser target comprised of a liquid film creation device that is configured to form a liquid laser target. Methods of forming a liquid thin-film laser target are also described.

According to one embodiment, there is provided an ion source. The ion source includes a vacuum-exhausted vacuum chamber, a target which is set in the vacuum chamber and generates a plurality of valences of ions by irradiation of a laser beam, an acceleration electrode which is applied with voltage in order to accelerate the ions generated by the target, and an intermediate electrode which is provided between the target and the acceleration electrode and is applied with reverse voltage of the voltage applied to the acceleration electrode.

According to one embodiment, there is provided an ion source. The ion source includes a vacuum-exhausted vacuum chamber, a target which is set in the vacuum chamber and generates a plurality of valences of ions by irradiation of a laser beam, an acceleration electrode which is applied with voltage in order to accelerate the ions generated by the target, and an intermediate electrode which is provided between the target and the acceleration electrode and is applied with reverse voltage of the voltage applied to the acceleration electrode.

A propulsion system for spacecraft is based on an electric engine that expels propellant to achieve thrust. The propellant is first ionized to generate a plasma. Plasma particles are selectively accelerated via a pulsed laser that accelerates predominantly the electrons in the plasma. The electrons are expelled first, forming a space charge that acts as a virtual cathode to accelerate the positive ions. Interactions between the laser beam and plasma electrons are predominantly through the ponderomotive force.

A propulsion system for spacecraft is based on an electric engine that expels propellant to achieve thrust. The propellant is first ionized to generate a plasma. Plasma particles are selectively accelerated via a pulsed laser that accelerates predominantly the electrons in the plasma. The electrons are expelled first, forming a space charge that acts as a virtual cathode to accelerate the positive ions. Interactions between the laser beam and plasma electrons are predominantly through the ponderomotive force.

An apparatus to generate negative hydrogen ions. The apparatus may include an ion source chamber having a gas inlet to receive H.sub.2 gas; a light source directing radiation into the ion source chamber to generate excited H.sub.2 molecules having an excited vibrational state from at least some of the H.sub.2 gas; a low energy electron source directing low energy electrons into the ion source chamber, wherein H.sup. ions are generated from at least some of the excited H.sub.2 molecules; and an extraction assembly arranged to extract the H.sup. ions from the ion source chamber.

The present invention discloses a system and method for generating a beam of fast ions. The system comprising: a target substrate having a patterned surface, a pattern comprising nanoscale pattern features oriented substantially uniformly along a common axis; and; a beam unit adapted for receiving a high power coherent electromagnetic radiation beam and providing an electromagnetic radiation beam having a main pulse and a pre-pulse and focusing it onto said patterned surface of the target substrate to cause interaction between said radiation beam and said substrate enabling creation of fast ions.

The present invention discloses a system and method for generating a beam of fast ions. The system comprising: a target substrate having a patterned surface, a pattern comprising nanoscale pattern features oriented substantially uniformly along a common axis; and; a beam unit adapted for receiving a high power coherent electromagnetic radiation beam and providing an electromagnetic radiation beam having a main pulse and a pre-pulse and focusing it onto said patterned surface of the target substrate to cause interaction between said radiation beam and said substrate enabling creation of fast ions.