Grad-B drift transport of high current electron beams

Grad-B transport, bunching and focusing of relativistic electron beams has been proposed as a method of increasing the power delivered to an ICF target by an order of magnitude. Recent experiments have demonstrated the efficient transport of high current electron beams over 1.0-m distances in the l/r azimuthal magnetic field of a current-carrying wire. The electron drift velocity was measured as a function of wire current and found to be in good agreement with theory. Measurements of x-ray production in a tantalum target were used as a diagnostic tool to study transport efficiency. A theoretical model of the experiment was developed to calculate bremsstrahlung production in the target, assuming 100 percent transport efficiency. This model predicted radial x-ray dose profiles in the experimental converter assembly which were in good agreement with the measurements.