Controlling hollow relativistic electron beam orbits with an inductive current divider

Abstract

A passive method for controlling the trajectory of an intense, hollow electron beam is proposed using a vacuum structure that inductively splits the beam's return current. A central post carries a portion of the return current (I1), while the outer conductor carries the remainder (I2). An envelope equation appropriate for a hollow electron beam is derived and applied to the current divider. The force on the beam trajectory is shown to be proportional to (I2-I1), while the average force on the envelope (the beam width) is proportional to the beam current Ib = (I2 + I1). The values of I1 and I2 depend on the inductances in the return-current path geometries. Proper choice of the return-current geometries determines these inductances and offers control over the beam trajectory. Solutions using realistic beam parameters show that, for appropriate choices of the return-current-path geometry, the inductive current divider can produce a beam that is both pinched and straightened so that it approaches a target at near-normal incidence with a beam diameter that is on the order of a few mm.

Document Details

Document Type
Pub Defense Publication
Publication Date
Feb 01, 2015
Source ID
10.1063/1.4907663

Entities

People

  • A. S. Richardson
  • Bruce V. Weber
  • David D. Hinshelwood
  • Gerald Cooperstein
  • I. M. Rittersdorf
  • J. C. Zier
  • J. R. Angus
  • Joseph W. Schumer
  • P. F. Ottinger
  • S. B. Swanekamp

Organizations

  • Office of Naval Research
  • Sandia National Laboratories
  • United States Naval Research Laboratory

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Electrical Engineering
  • Pulsed Power and Plasma Physics.

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy
  • Directed Energy - Lasers
  • Microelectronics
  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster
  • Space - Spacecraft Maneuvers