Analysis of a magnetic double sheath for ion beam acceleration and deceleration

Abstract

It appears feasible to accelerate or decelerate an intense ion beam without using material grids. Instead, a virtual grid can be established by the use of a crossed field flow of electrons using a uniform magnetic field perpendicular to the ion flow direction. The problem of the magnetic double sheath formed by the intense ion beam and a crossed electron flow has been analytically solved and can readily be applied to any given ion beam situation. The required electron current densities and magnetic fields appear to be moderate in all cases and some examples are presented.