Experimentally Observed Beam-Plasma Instability.
Abstract
An experimentally observed beam-plasma instability is described which results when a high energy, intense electron beam is injected into a plasma column. The high energy electron beam is found to propagate down the plasma column as long as the diameter of the column is above a certain critical value. However, when the diameter of the plasma column is smaller than the critical value, the relativistic beam does not pinch and propagate down the plasma column; instead, it continues to diverge and strike the glass wall of the tube containing the plasma. The glass usually shatters at the place where most of the energy in the relativistic beam has been deposited. The experimental results and some mechanisms which might have produced the observed behavior are described. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 31, 1969
- Accession Number
- AD0861019
Entities
People
- Thomas G. Roberts