Generation of high-current relativistic electron beams with stable (for a microsecond) parameters using explosive emission cathodes

Cold explosive emission cathodes, in which a plasma serves as an emitting surface, are used to generate relativistic electron beams with a high current density in a magnetic field. The plasma parameters change within a microsecond, thereby significantly changing the geometry of the electron beam. This paper is a review of techniques for stabilizing the geometry of microsecond high-current relativistic electron beams. It is shown that only a transverse-blade explosive emission cathode in a magnetically insulated diode can generate such beams (500 keV, 3 kA) the current density profile and electron trajectory pitch factor of which remain constant for a microsecond.     

Magnetism of a relativistic degenerate electron gas in a strong magnetic field

The magnetization and magnetic susceptibility of a degenerate electron gas in a strong magnetic field in which electrons are located on the ground Landau level and the electron gas has the properties of a nonlinear paramagnet have been calculated. The paradoxical properties of the electron gas under these conditions??a decrease in the magnetization with the field and an increase in the magnetization with the temperature??have been revealed. It has been shown that matter under the corresponding conditions of neutron stars is a paramagnet with a magnetic susceptibility of ?? ?? 0.001.     

Dielectric response of a relativistic degenerate electron plasma in a strong magnetic field

The longitudinal dielectric response of a relativistic ultra-degenerate electron plasma in a strong magnetic field is obtained via a relativistic generalization of the Hartree self-consistent field method. Dispersion relations and damping conditions for plasma oscillations both parallel and perpendicular to the magnetic field are obtained. We also give detailed results for the zero-field case. Applications to white dwarf stars and pulsars are given.     

x强流相对论环形电子束在低磁场中传输分析

用理论和粒子模拟相结合的方法分析了强流薄环形相对论电子束在低磁场导引下,在均匀波导,无箔二极管,以及锥形波导和渐减磁场位形条件下的传输过程,研究了束包络的波动和如何减少波动的问题。分析表明：在无箔二极管中一个适当渐增的磁场位形可以有效地抑制束电子的径向运动,从而减少电子在波导中的波动幅度;电子束在锥形波导和渐减磁场位形中运动,不会增加束电子的波动。因此适当的磁场位形可以降低微波器件对导引磁场的要求,有利于实现永磁包装微波器件。     

x强流相对论环形电子束在低磁场中传输分析

 用理论和粒子模拟相结合的方法分析了强流薄环形相对论电子束在低磁场导引下，在均匀波导，无箔二极管，以及锥形波导和渐减磁场位形条件下的传输过程，研究了束包络的波动和如何减少波动的问题。分析表明：在无箔二极管中一个适当渐增的磁场位形可以有效地抑制束电子的径向运动，从而减少电子在波导中的波动幅度；电子束在锥形波导和渐减磁场位形中运动，不会增加束电子的波动。因此适当的磁场位形可以降低微波器件对导引磁场的要求，有利于实现永磁包装微波器件。     

Covariant Wigner function approach to the relativistic quantum electron gas in a strong magnetic field

This paper is concerned with a unified approach to some equilibrium properties of the relativistic quantum electron plasma embedded in a strong external magnetic field. This unified approach rests on the systematic use of a covariant Wigner function. The equilibrium Wigner function of the noninteracting gas is derived and its main properties are studied. In particular, it satisfies equations that are the complete analog of the usual Liouville equation and thus can be termed “relativistic quantum Liouville equation” whose properties are considered. The equations of state are rederived in this formalism and the results obtained earlier by Canuto and Chiu are found anew. Also, the covariant Wigner funetion of the magnetized vacuum is derived: it is needed, in this formalism, in order to obtain, e.g., the vacuum polarization tensor. Since we are also interested in the plasma modes, the fluctuations of one-particle quantities—and their spectrum—(in particular, of the four current) are calculated in view of their use in the fluctuation-dissipation theorem. We also outline a microscopic proof of this theorem, on the basis of a BBGKY hierarchy for the covariant Wigner functions, and point out the existence of an effective plasma frequency.     

Effect of a transverse magnetic field on the generation of electron beams in the gas-filled diode

The effect of a transverse magnetic field (0.080 and 0.016 T) on generation of an electron beam in the gas-filled diode is experimentally investigated. It is shown that, at voltage U = 25 kV across the diode and a low helium pressure (45 Torr), the transverse magnetic field influences the beam current amplitude behind a foil and its distribution over the foil cross section. At elevated pressures and under the conditions of ultrashort avalanche electron beam formation in helium, nitrogen, and air, the transverse magnetic field (0.080 and 0.016 T) has a minor effect on the amplitude and duration of the beam behind the foil. It is established that, when the voltage of the pulse generator reaches several hundreds of kilovolts, some runaway electrons (including the electrons from the discharge plasma near the cathode) are incident on the side walls of the diode.     

Formation of closed magnetic field line plasma systems using intense relativistic electron beams

Closed magnetic field plasma confinement geometries produced by plasma currents induced by rotating intense relativistic electron beams are discussed conceptually. Experimental evidence for the formation of such layers is presented.     

相对论电子束在角向磁场中产生硬X射线的实验研究

 在闪光二号加速器上用相对论电子束在低压气体和角向磁场中传输打靶的方法，进行了硬X射线产生的实验研究。在47cm传输距离上，电子束与钽靶作用，获得了面积积分剂量率为2.1×10¹⁰Gy·cm²/s的硬X射线辐射（能谱范围为20～120keV），在总的辐照面积上(4π方向)面积积分剂量达1 843Gy·cm²，X射线转换率达到108Gy·cm²/kJ。     

Interacting electron gas in a strong magnetic field

The density response function of an electron gas in a strong magnetic field shows logarithmic singularities due to scattering across the Fermi surface. We analyze the parquet equations for the vertex function in leading logarithmic order for a general interaction potential. The parquet equations are solved for a special interaction potential (Schulz and Keiter model). The divergence of the density response function at extremely high fields is discussed in connection with a possible transition to a Wigner lattice.     

Two-pulse generation of high-current relativistic electron beams and their transportation in the gaseous medium of a plasmochemical reactor

Experimental results on two-pulse generation and transportation of high-current relativistic electron beams (REBs) through the gaseous medium of a plasmochemical reactor (PR) are presented. The generation of two consecutive high-current REB pulses with a duration of 60 ns was achieved at the Tonus accelerator with modified schemes of high-voltage pulse formation. The first version of the formation scheme enabled pulse powers of 2 and 4.0–9.6 GW with a time interval between the pulses of 500 ns. The second version enabled one to generate pulses with powers of 1.8 and 16 GW and time interval between the pulses of 160 μs. The transportation parameters of an REB injected into a 1.4-m-long PR filled with an N₂: O₂ gas mixture are studied. The conductance of the plasma produced under the action of the electron beams is measured. It is shown that the schemes proposed provide more efficient (by 35–45%) transportation of the REBs in the reactor volume as compared to single-pulse high-current REBs of the same power and pulse duration.     

Study of the magnetic analyzer of relativistic helical electron beams

The paper presents the results of studying the analyzer of helical electron beams experimentally. The analyzer is based on separation of electron velocity fractions in the adiabatically growing magnetic field. Optimization of the analyzer design to minimize the amount of electrons reflected from the analyzer elements made it possible to practically eliminate the systematic error in measurements of the velocity spread and pitch-factor. __________ Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Radiofizika, Vol. 49, No. 2, pp. 134–140, February 2006.     

Passage of a high-current relativistic electron beam through matter

A solution is presented for the problem of passage of a high-current relativistic electron beam through matter in the stationary case with one-dimensional geometry. The system of equations describing the passage of the beam consists of the kinetic equation for fast electrons, which considers the effect of the electric field on the magnitude and direction of particle momentum, the equations for the field produced by the space charge generated by thermalized electrons, and relations connecting the conductivity of the medium to the radiation field. Higher-order perturbation theory is used for the solution. The solutions reveal that the distribution of expended energy, thermalized electrons, and other properties of the flow are highly dependent on the density of the incident flux and the conductivity of the medium. It will be shown that linear transfer theory may be applied to calculation of the passage of high-current beams through matter over a wide range of currents and conductivities, if the barrier thickness does not exceed one-half the path length, but cannot be used for calculation of passage through large-thickness barriers, i.e., with thickness comparable to the electron free path length.Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika, No. 9, pp. 67–74, September, 1979.The author thanks A. N. Didenko and A. M. Kol'chuzhkin for their evaluation of the study.     

Formation and transportation of low-energy high-current electron beams in the plasma-filled diode under the effect of the external magnetic field

The mechanisms behind limitation of current of nonrelativistic high-current electron beams in the plasma-filled diode immersed in the external guiding magnetic field whose intensity is comparable with that of the beam self magnetic field are studied. It is shown that the beam current is limited by transmission capacity of the double layer between the cathode and anode plasma on the one hand and, on the other hand, by charge neutralization of the beam and by the decrease of the longitudinal velocity of the beam electrons under the action of the induced electric field and of the beam self magnetic field. The effect of the beam self fields on its cross-sectional current density and energy distributions is studied. Results of the numerical simulations are in good agreement with the experimental data.     

Transverse dynamics of high-density relativistic electron beams propagating in plasma in the direction of the external magnetic field

Based on analysis of the effective potential, a possibility is found to realize a single type of radial evolution of high-density relativistic electron beams. This operating mode is characterized by periodic oscillations of the beam radius within a certain range. Conditions are found for radial beam stabilization under this beam transport regime.     

Stability of high-current beams of relativistic electrons in cyclic systems

Stability conditions of high-current thin beams of relativistic electrons against excitation of long-wave oscillations in a stellatron and modified betatron have been investigated theoretically. The influence of self electric and magnetic fields obtained from electron beam delayed potentials has been taken into consideration. The correspondent dispersion relation has been found. The electron beam of the modified betatron has been shown to be always unstable against excitation of the oscillations considered. Necessary and sufficient conditions for the elec-tron beam confinement in a stellatron have been found.     

Ion acceleration in direct high-current electron beams

Conclusions The stream of research on collective methods does not dry up, just as the diversity of directions over which searches and investigations does not diminish. We observe this pattern for approximately the last 10 years. Moreover, qualitative shifts can be noted with respect to certain areas.Until recently, mainly research work (theoretical and experimental) on questions of principle in collective acceleration methods and on detection of appropriate collective effects has been conducted. In particular, it would be necessary to construct apparatus of significant scales and to develop diagnostic methods for the processes which occur. Mainly it would be necessary to obtain, at least, greater accelerating fields in experiment, if not greater energies. It cannot be said that greater accelerating fields are actually obtained in the set of methods examined here. The next stage has started, when it is necessary to develop appropriate accelerating systems by using the cumulative experience and the results obtained, and to try to optimize them in the fundamental parameters. It is here necessary to solve some difficult technological problems such as to obtain steep (or generally given) fronts of current and voltage growth in the accelerator-injector, beam monochromaticity, sufficiently high pulse repetition rate, etc. It is also necessary to solve the problem of tolerances in traditional accelerators. However, the results already obtained permit consideration of further progress in collective methods and, in the long run, their practical application in different regions.Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika, No. 10, pp. 59–82, October, 1979.     

Hydrodynamic theory of electron transport in a strong magnetic field

The mode coupling contribution to the transverse transport coefficients of a three-dimensional one-component plasma in a strong external magnetic field is calculated. For very strong fields it is found that the tagged particle diffusion rate, the thermal diffusion rate, and the coefficient of viscosity in the plane orthogonal to the field have a Bohm-like B ^–1 behavior. The mode coupling mechanism responsible for such an effect is always one that involves the finite-frequency upper hybrid modes.     

CDW instability of electron gas in a strong magnetic field

It is shown that within the Hartree-Fock approximation the electron gas in the quantum limit of a strong magnetic field has an instability as the temperature is lowered toward the charge density wave state with an wave-vector which has finite components in the directions not only parallel but also perpendicular to the field. The critical temperature, T_c, is estimated under the assumption of T_c??_F?ω_c, where ?_F and ω_c are the Fermi energy of the non-interacting system and the cyclotron frequency respectively.     

Intensive ion beams in the transverse magnetic field of anelectromagnetic separator

Based on state-of-the-art knowledge, the processes of the formation of intense ion beams in the transverse magnetic field of a commercial electromagnetic separator are analyzed. It is shown that, given the conditions of closed electron drift, the potentials will surely equalize along the fast ion trajectories all the way through the beam length; hence, no improvement in dynamic decompensation is caused by the low-frequency noise of the source. It is established that increasing the full beam current forces the maximum amplitude of the current density oscillations out to the beam periphery crosswise. For the first time, it is shown that suppressing noise oscillations in the arc discharge of an ion source for the formation of a highly stable ion beam with a minimum inner potential drop is possible. At low pressures, with collective interaction out of play, the drop is determined by Coulomb's collisions between the beam particles and compensating electrons. The analysis of collective phenomena likely to occur in the ion-beam plasma of a separator gives evidence of an experimental space potential buildup with increasing residual gas pressure in the calutron, leading to a high-frequency ion-electron beam instability. It is pointed out that this instability combined with an additional decompensation results in a noticeable broadening of the beam energy spectrum, which in turn makes for a lower quality of separation