ISSN:
1089-7666
Source:
AIP Digital Archive
Topics:
Physics
Notes:
Modulation of the beam current has recently been observed during ion-focused regime (IFR) transport of a high-power relativistic electron beam propagating through a low-density background plasma. Injecting a high-current, high-energy electron beam into an IFR channel immersed in a background plasma induces plasma oscillations. These background plasma oscillations, induced by the rise-time portion of the beam ejecting plasma electrons from the vicinity of the beam into the background plasma, give rise to a modulated axial electric field. This field travels with the beam leading to beam energy and current oscillations. In the experiment, a 1.7 MeV, 1 kA, rise-time-sharpened electron beam is propagated on a KrF excimer laser-produced IFR channel in trimethylamine (TMA) gas, which is immersed in a low-density plasma-filled transport tube. Experimental measurements, analytical theory, and detailed computer simulations are presented demonstrating modulation of this high-current relativistic electron beam near the low-density background plasma frequency.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.860319
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