Electron flow in a relativistic electron beam pinched diode collective acceleration system

Abstract

Investigations of the electron component of the composite collectively accelerated ion and electron beam produced in a relativistic electron beam pinch diode are reported. The experiments consisted of examining the Kα x-ray signal induced by the propagating electron beam and comparing this with the Kα signal produced in the anode. The measurements dealt with propagation velocity, beam front current density as a function of distance from the anode, and the temporal structure of the beam front as a function of distance. Time dependent structure consisting of several peaks was observed. The velocity of the beam front was seen to increase with the addition of CH2 to the anode.