Equilibrium properties of finite length E-layers and E-rings in a cusped magnetic field system

The equilibrium properties of a stationary, finite length, rotating E-layer are calculated from the coupled equations representing conservation of total energy and canonical angular momentum, and radial force-balance. The particles forming the E-layer are emitted from an annular knife-edged cathode, pass through a magnetic cusped field, then propagate along a conducting wall system and through a region where the beam´s axial energy is removed so that a stationary rotating E-layer is formed. In addition to calculating the equilibrium properties, we examine the focusing forces acting on the equilibrium E-layer as well as the surface electric fields that determine the “holding power” for collective ion acceleration.