Intense Electron Beam Dynamics in a Longitudinal Magnetic Field

Abstract

An intense relativistic electron beam was propagated in a longitudinal magnetic field with an initial ion density less than ${10}^9$ ions/${\mathrm{cm}}^3$ and a neutral density of ${10}^{16}$-${10}^{17}$ ions/${\mathrm{cm}}^3$. An optimum pressure and magnetic field were found to exist for efficient beam transport, and these optima were relatively independent of current density. Possible explanations for the loss of beam electrons can be found in the retarding effects of the electric and magnetic self-fields.