Intense electron beam propagation across a magnetic field

The propagation of an intense electron-ion beam across an applied magnetic field is considered. In the absence of the applied field, the beam system is in a Bennett equilibrium state that involves electrons with both large axial and thermal velocities and a cold stationary space-charge neutralizing ion species. Typical parameters under consideration are V₀~1 MV, I~5 kA, T_e ~100 keV, and beam radii~1 cm. It is found that, in the intense beam regime, the propagation is limited due to space-charge depression caused by the deflection of the electron beam by the transverse field. This critical field is on the order or the peak self-magnetic field of the electron beam, which is substantially higher than the single particle cutoff field