The results of numerical simulation of highly charged ion production in the electron cyclotron resonance ion source (ECRIS) during the afterglow of the pulsed operation mode are presented in this article. The influence of the short neutral flux injected into the plasma on the parameters of afterglow is studied. It is shown that a pulse of neutral atoms reduces the duration and increases the amplitude of afterglow. The free expansion of laser ablation plasma was experimentally studied to find the ways for neutral flux production. AQ-switchedYAG:Nd+3laser of 60 mJ focused onto the surface of a Zn target was used for this purpose. A neutral density up to1013cm−3at a distance of 5 cm from the target was obtained. The plasma pulse duration is 10 &mgr;s, the ionization degree in the flux is about 5&percent;, and the velocity of neutrals is in the range of106cm/s. These parameters of the neutral flux are quite enough to test the afterglow enhancement as well as for the load of metal or solid elements into the ECRIS. ©1998 American Institute of Physics.