(1) Sub-Department of Particle Physics, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3RH, UK;(2) Physics Centre, University of Essex, Colchester, CO4 3SQ, UK;(3) Technische Universitat, Munchen, Germany
Abstract:
Spontaneous Smith-Purcell radiation at wavelengths of 100 and 220m has been observed. The angles of observation were 17° and 28° and the electron beam energies 1.9 and 1.56MeV, respectively. The radiated power was about 320nW at 17° and 92nW at 28°. These values are in reasonable agreement with what is theoretically expected if the emission process is due to the acceleration of image charges induced on the grating surface by the electrons of the beam.