Propagation of wiggler focused relativistic sheet electron beams

• Published in: Journal of applied physics Vol. 64; no. 1; pp. 6 - 11
• Main Authors: BOOSKE, J. H, DESTLER, W. W, SEGALOV, Z, RADACK, D. J, ROSENBURY, E. T, RODGERS, J, ANTONSEN, T. M. JR, GRANATSTEIN, V. L, MAYERGOYZ, I. D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Woodbury, NY American Institute of Physics 01.07.1988
• Subjects: Electromagnetism; electron and ion optics; Exact sciences and technology; Free-electron lasers; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Physics; Radiation by moving charges; Electron beam; Wiggler; Relativistic electron; Free electron laser; Propagation; Focusing
• ISSN: 0021-8979; 1089-7550
• DOI: 10.1063/1.341221

A recent design concept for millimeter-wave free-electron lasers [J. Appl. Phys. 60, 521 (1986)] would require the stable propagation of a sheet electron beam through a narrow waveguide channel. Experimental results reported in this article support the feasibility of such a configuration by demonstrating the stable propagation of relativistic sheet electron beams through a narrow waveguide gap (3.2 mm) using focusing by a short-period electromagnet wiggler. 90% of the electron current in a 100-keV sheet electron beam was transmitted through a 5-cm-long channel with peak wiggler fields of 800 G. Almost 80% of a 400-keV beam was similarly confined with a 1600-G wiggler field. The data were consistent with single electron trajectory models, indicating that space-charge effects were minimal. No evidence of beam breakup or filamentation instabilities was observed.