The energy lost by a low-energy, high-current electron beam in its transportation through rarefied plasma

The dynamics of relaxation of a microsecond low-energy high-current electron beam (LEHCEB) in its transportation through a low-density (10¹¹–10¹² cm⁻³) plasma has been investigated experimentally. It has been established that an LEHCEB loses its kinetic energy mainly early in the pulse. The decrease in kinetic energy losses (upset of relaxation) some time after the beginning of the pulse is related to gradual filling of the drift channel with the collector plasma which is denser than the starting anode plasma.