Ion Effects in the DARHT-II Downstream Transport
The DARHT-II accelerator produces an 18-MeV, 2-kA, 2-μs electron beam pulse. After the accelerator, the pulse is delivered to the final focus on an x-ray producing target via a beam transport section called the Downstream Transport. Ions produced due to beam ionization of residual gases in the Downstream Transport can affect the beam dynamics. Ions generated by the head of the pulse will cause modification of space-charge forces at the tail of the pulse so that the beam head and tail will have different beam envelopes. They may also induce ion-hose instability at the tail of the pulse. If these effects are significant, the focusing requirements of beam head and tail at the final focus will become very different. The focusing of the complete beam pulse will be time dependent and difficult to achieve, leading to less efficient x-ray production. In this paper, we will describe the results of our calculations of these ion effects at different residual-gas pressure levels. Our goal is to determine the maximum residual-gas pressure allowable in DARHT-II Downstream Transport such that the required final beam focus is achievable over the entire beam pulse under these deleterious ion effects.
Simulations of Ion-Hose Instability with Pressure Profiles For DARHT-II Long-Pulse Experiments
Ion-hose instability growth of the 2-mus electron beam pulses will be studied during the Phase-II commissioning of the DARHT-II Facility. We have done simulations in support of the experiment using pressure profiles estimated for different pumping arrangements along the accelerator. Results of these simulations are reported in this paper and compared to simulation results reported previously using constant pressure profile along the accelerator. Good agreement is found.
Experimental Results of the Active Deflection of a Beam from a Kicker System
A high current kicker has been designed and tested on the ETA-II beam line. A bias dipole which surrounds the kicker acts to deflect the beam in the DC mode. High voltage pulsers (10kV) with fast rise times (10ns) are connected to the internal strip lines of the kicker. They are used to manipulate beams dynamically. Camera photos which show the switching of the beam from one position to another will be presented. Beam bug measurements of beam-induced as well as active steering will be shown. These will be compared with theoretical predictions.