Studies Of The Longitudinal Compression Of Intense Beams

The physics of a high perveance beam undergoing longitudinal compression is of interest for many practical applications, such as subharmonic bunching of electron beams for linear colliders or free electron lasers, microwave tubes (e.g. klystrons), and heavy ion inertial fusion. The Maryland Electron Pulse Compression Experiment will support a rigorous study of a space charge dominated electron beam as it undergoes longitudinal compression in the periodic solenoid channel presently used for beam transport studies. Specifically, a new electron injector has been constructed to produce a desired electron pulse which is further guided into the existing 5 m long solenoid channel to achieve drift bunching. The electron beam is generated in the parameter range of tens of nanoseconds duration, tens of milliamperes current, and a few kilo-electron-volts of energy. The initial velocity spread is imparted by an induction linac. The expected compression ratio is about 5 or greater. A combination of experimental study, theoretical analysis, and numerical simulation will give a new understanding of the underlying beam physics.