Experimental studies of microwave amplification in the ion-focused regime

Author

Whittum, D.H. ; Ebihara, K. ; Hiramatsu, S. ; Kishiro, J. ; Monaka, T. ; Ozaki, T. ; Takayama, K.

Author_Institution

KEK, Ibaraki, Japan

Volume

21

Issue

1

fYear

1993

fDate

2/1/1993 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

136

Lastpage

141

Abstract

Studies of microwave amplification with an in-focused electron beam drawn from an induction injector are reported. A free-electron laser (FEL) operating at 9.4 GHz and employing ion-focusing within the interaction region has achieved power in excess of 30 MW at 9.4 GHz, with a beam energy of 0.8 MeV and current of 0.7 kA. Peak gain is 20 dB/m, with no saturation after 15 wiggler periods. Also reported are the first evolution and detuning data for an ion-channel laser/maser (ICL). Two shortcomings of the prematurely halted ICL studies are poor frequency discrimination and a large axial plasma gradient. Prospects for operation with an upgraded 1.6 MeV accelerator are discussed

Keywords

electromagnetic wave propagation in plasma; free electron lasers; laser beam applications; plasma-beam interactions; wigglers; 0.7 kA; 0.8 MeV; 1.6 MeV; 30 MW; 9.4 GHz; FEL; accelerator; axial plasma gradient; detuning; evolution; free-electron laser; frequency discrimination; in-focused electron beam; induction injector; ion-channel laser/maser; laser-guided propagation; microwave amplification; peak gain; plasma column; wiggler periods; Electron beams; Free electron lasers; Frequency; Gain; Ion accelerators; Laser beams; Masers; Plasma accelerators; Power lasers; Undulators;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Plasma Science, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0093-3813

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/27.221112

Filename

221112