Propagation of Pinched Electron Beams for Pellet Fusion
We present results which are encouraging for a multibeam approach to relativistic-electron-beam--induced pellet fusion. A self-pinched relativistic electron beam with nominal parameters of 1.1 MV, 200 kA, and 5-mm radius has been propagated at atmospheric pressure over distances of up to 1 m. Gross beam beam stability and reasonable energy transport efficiency has been achieved. A simple Alfven-type calculation corroborates the propagation result, and a self-consistent particle simulation indicates the possibility of scaling to very high-..nu../..gamma.. beams.