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Quasilinear stabilization of the free electron laser instability for a relativistic electron beam propagating through a transverse helical wiggler magnetic field

Journal Article · · Phys. Fluids; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.865080· OSTI ID:5892432

A quasilinear model is developed that describes the nonlinear evolution and stabilization of the free electron laser instability in circumstances where a broad spectrum of waves is excited. The relativistic electron beam propagates perpendicular to a helical wiggler magnetic field B/sub 0/ = -B cos k/sub 0/ z e/sub x/-B sin k/sub 0/ z e/sub y/, and the analysis is based on the Vlasov--Maxwell equations assuming partial/partialx = 0 = partial/partial y and a sufficiently tenuous beam that the Compton-regime approximation is valid (deltaphiapprox. =0). Coupled kinetic equations are derived that describe the evolution of the average distribution function G/sub 0/( p/sub z/,t) and spectral energy density E/sub k/(t) in the amplifying electromagnetic field perturbations. A thorough exposition of the theoretical model and general quasilinear formalism is presented, and the stabilization process is examined in detail for weak resonant instability with small temporal growth rate ..gamma../sub k/ satisfying Vertical Bar..gamma../sub k//..omega../sub k/Vertical Bar<<1 and Vertical Bar..gamma../sub k//k ..delta..v/sub z/Vertical Bar<<1.

Research Organization:
Plasma Fusion Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139
OSTI ID:
5892432
Journal Information:
Phys. Fluids; (United States), Journal Name: Phys. Fluids; (United States) Vol. 28:2; ISSN PFLDA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English