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Cyclotron maser instability for intense solid electron beams

Journal Article · · J. Appl. Phys.; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.326032· OSTI ID:6503801

The cyclotron maser instability for a solid relativistic electron beam propagating parallel to a uniform axial magnetic field B/sub 0/e/sub z/ is investigated. The stability analysis is carried out within the framework of the linearized Vlasov-Maxwell equations. It is assumed that ..nu../gamma-circumflexvery-much-less-than1, where ..nu.. is Budker's parameter and gamma-circumflexmc/sup 2/ is the electron energy. Stability properties are investigated for the choice of equilibrium distribution function in which all electrons have the same value of total perpendicular energy, the same value of axial velocity, and a step-function distribution in canonical angular momentum. The instability growth rate is calculated including a determination of the optimum value of the beam radius R/sub 0/ for maximum growth. It is found that the maximum growth rate for a solid beam is comparable to the maximum growth rate for a hollow beam.

Research Organization:
Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742
OSTI ID:
6503801
Journal Information:
J. Appl. Phys.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Appl. Phys.; (United States) Vol. 50:2; ISSN JAPIA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English