Published online by Cambridge University Press: 09 March 2009
Ionization distributions and radiation spectra of a dense plasma driven by intense ion beams are studied by solving stationary rate equations. Expressions for the rate coefficients are derived. Optically thin plasmas of hydrogen and carbon are considered neglecting hydrodynamic motion. Results on level populations versus temperature, on power balance and equilibrium states, and also on emission spectra are given. In particular, the transition from beam-determined plasma states to thermal equilibrium states is discussed. Beam parameters are chosen close to those in experiments now being planned.