Transverse Oscillations Observed in IFR (Ion Focused Regime) Electron Beam Propagation.
Abstract
Charge neutralized electron beam propagation in ionized gases has been studied recently at several laboratories. Such propagation in which the background plasma ions serve to neutralize the charge of tghe beam electrons is said to be the ion focused regime (IFR). There are currently several methods employed to create the background plasma channel through which the beam will propagate. The first is a beam induced plasma channel, the second is a low energy electron beam excited plasma, and the third is a laser initiated plasma channel. With the second and third methods, a pre-ionized channel is provided so that the beam space charge field will eject the plasma electrons leaving the positive ion channel. With the first method, the beam electrons leaving the positive ion channel. With the first method, the beam electrons themselves ionize the gas along the channel, so that much of the beam front is scattered by the higher pressure gas required leaving only a fraction of the pulse length to propagate. Of these methods, only the first, a beam induced plasma channel, is utilized in this work. A parallel reference gives much of the background for this work, and a subsequent paper will discuss results with a low energy electron beam excited channel.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1986
- Accession Number
- ADA174943
Entities
People
- Joseph P. Smith
- R. F. Schneider
Organizations
- Naval Ordnance Laboratory