Axisymmetric hollowing instability of an intense relativistic electron beam propagating in air

Journal Article · Mon Aug 26 04:00:00 EDT 1985 · Phys. Rev. Lett.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.55.935· OSTI ID:5313345

Ekdahl, C A; Freeman, J R; Leifeste, G T; Miller, R B; Stygar, W A; Godfrey, B B

Simulations of relativistic electron beams propagating in air show axisymmetric hollowing instabilities of the beam, caused by avalanche ionization of the air near the beam axis. This produces an induced return current peaked on axis, which weakens the pinch force there and triggers the instability for E/p > 130 kV cm/sup -1/ atm/sup -1/ and current neutralization >50%. We performed experiments verifying the existence of this instability on a 6-kA/ns, 70-kA, 4-MeV beam for air pressures less than approx.80 Torr, the predicted threshold.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-76DP00789
• OSTI ID: 5313345
• Journal Information: Phys. Rev. Lett.; (United States), Journal Name: Phys. Rev. Lett.; (United States) Vol. 55:9; ISSN PRLTA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640420* -- Fluid Physics-- Properties & Structure of Fluids-- (-1987)
75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS
SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND SUPERFLUIDITY
AIR
BEAM-PLASMA SYSTEMS
BEAMS
BREMSSTRAHLUNG
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELECTRON BEAMS
ENERGY RANGE
FLUIDS
GASES
INSTABILITY
IONIZATION
LEPTON BEAMS
LOW PRESSURE
MEV RANGE
MEV RANGE 01-10
PARTICLE BEAMS
PLASMA INSTABILITY
RADIATIONS
RELATIVISTIC RANGE
SIMULATION