Simulating a Maxwellian plasma using an electron beam ion trap

We describe a technique for producing a Maxwell–Boltzmann electron energy distribution using an electron beam ion trap ~EBIT!. The technique was implemented on the Lawrence Livermore EBIT to simulate Maxwellian plasmas. We discuss technical and experimental issues related to these simulations. To verify the fidelity of the quasi-Maxwellian, we have measured line emission due to dielectronic recombination ~DR! and electron impact excitation ~EIE! of heliumlike neon, magnesium, and argon for a range of simulated electron temperatures. The ratio of DR to EIE lines in heliumlike ions is a well understood electron temperature diagnostic. The spectroscopically inferred quasi-Maxwellian temperatures are in excellent agreement with the simulated temperatures. © 2000 American Institute of Physics. @S0034-6748~00!00609-2#