X-Ray Bremsstrahlung Measurements of an Intense Relativistic Electron Beam Propagating in a Plasma

Information on the peak electron energy, angular spread, and current density of a relativistic electron beam propagating in a plasma column is obtained from measurements of two-absorber transmission ratios, anistropy, and intensity, respectively, of x-ray bremsstrahlung from thin target foils in the plasma. Measurements indicate a 10% loss in peak electron energy and a factor of two loss in peak beam intensity over the distance of the plasma column, and show a large angular spread in the beam.