The theory and simulation of relativistic electron beam transport in the ion-focused regime

Journal Article · Fri May 01 00:00:00 EDT 1992 · Physics of Fluids B; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.860088· OSTI ID:7297210

Swanekamp, S B ^[1]; Holloway, J P; Kammash, T; Gilgenbach, R M ^[2]

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1. Naval Research Laboratory, Plasma Physics Division, Washington, DC 20375-5000 (United States)
2. Department of Nuclear Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-2104 (United States)

Several recent experiments involving relativistic electron beam (REB) transport in plasma channels show two density regimes for efficient transport; a low-density regime known as the ion-focused regime (IFR) and a high-pressure regime. The results obtained in this paper use three separate models to explain the dependency of REB transport efficiency on the plasma density in the IFR. Conditions for efficient beam transport are determined by examining equilibrium solutions of the Vlasov--Maxwell equations under conditions relevant to IFR transport. The dynamic force balance required for efficient IFR transport is studied using the particle-in-cell (PIC) method. These simulations provide new insight into the transient beam front physics as well as the dynamic approach to IFR equilibrium. Nonlinear solutions to the beam envelope are constructed to explain oscillations in the beam envelope observed in the PIC simulations but not contained in the Vlasov equilibrium analysis. A test particle analysis is also developed as a method to visualize equilibrium solutions of the Vlasov equation. This not only provides further insight into the transport mechanism but also illustrates the connections between the three theories used to describe IFR transport. Separately these models provide valuable information about transverse beam confinement; together they provide a clear physical understanding of REB transport in the IFR.

• OSTI ID: 7297210
• Journal Information: Physics of Fluids B; (United States), Vol. 4:5; ISSN 0899-8221
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
Ta
ELECTRON BEAMS
BEAM TRANSPORT
RELATIVISTIC RANGE
HOSE INSTABILITY
ION CHANNELING
MAXWELL EQUATIONS
PLASMA DENSITY
PLASMA SIMULATION
PRESSURE EFFECTS
TEST PARTICLES
TRAPPED ELECTRONS
BEAMS
CHANNELING
DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
ELECTRONS
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
ENERGY RANGE
EQUATIONS
FERMIONS
INSTABILITY
LEPTON BEAMS
LEPTONS
PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
PARTICLE BEAMS
PLASMA INSTABILITY
PLASMA MICROINSTABILITIES
SIMULATION
700350* - Plasma Production
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Current Drive
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661220 - Particle Beam Production & Handling
Targets- (1992-)