A novel technique to move a dust plasma plume

Summary form only given, as follows. Plasma debris generated from multi-pulsed or continuous beam sources adversely affects the forth-coming pulses or portions of the beam. It is anticipated that moving the plasma debris may mitigate some of these effects. In this exploratory study, electromagnetic surface waves are used to move the plasma debris. A simplified model is developed based on experimental and theoretical parameters from a past, single shot, radiography experiment conducted at Sandia National Laboratory where an electron beam bombards a tantalum target. A dense plasma plume is generated. The plume is modeled as a perfectly conducting solid slab moving with a velocity parallel to the target surface. The height and mass of the slab is based on the plume characteristics and dynamics. Slow waves generated by an external source are guided by the good conducting target surface. The target surface is treated using the nearly free electron model with dissipation losses included. The time duration to move the plasma is constrained based on future multi-pulsed radiography needs. The source power required to move the debris is examined over a large range of frequencies extending from the microwave to the optic. An optimal source frequency for minimal source power is identified and a parameter study is conducted. Because the amplitude of the slow wave is large, dissipation losses in the target material are substantial. Consequently, a simple one-dimensional thermodynamic model is used to study the change in target temperature as a result of the presence of the surface wave. If the temperature exceeds the boiling point of the target, then the external electromagnetic source may offer a unique means of placing good Bremsstrahlung material in the path of a forth-coming electron beam pulse.