Elektronenbeschleunigung in einem Plasmabetatron mit und ohne hohem Leitungsstrom

Abstract

A previous paper by Drees and Paul reported measurements on a plasma betatron. The study was continued using a betatron field with a vector potential taking into account the self magnetic field of a plasma current. The plasma was produced by a high frequency electric quadrupole field without an azimuthal magnetic field. The bremsstrahlung intensity of the accelerated electrons was observed as a function of gas pressure and accelerating field. The maximum energy of the electrons was 1.3 MeV compared to 1.5 MeV given by the field parameters. The maximum number in this energy range was about 10¹⁰ per pulse corresponding to a circulating runaway current of ∼ 1 A. The conduction current was drasticly reduced by coating the inner wall of the quartz glass torus with a thin layer of graphite. This change in the plasma current did not influence the γ radiation intensity.