Yu Korotaev

Active methods of instability suppression in a neutralized electron beam

Abstract A large space-charge is detrimental to the cooling process of a dense beam. Generation of a neutralised electron beam is restricted by beam-drift instability. To suppress this instability, active methods are used: a kicker with a transverse electric field (shaker) and longitudinal electrodes placed in the vacuum chamber and in the gun region expel secondary electrons. Results of experiments dedicated to the development of beam stabilisation on the JINR test bench and in the electron cooling system at LEAR are discussed.

EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES OF ELECTRON BEAM NEUTRALISATION

Abstract This report presents results of experiments performed between 1994 and 1996 by a CERN/JINR collaboration, aimed to study the problem of the generation of intense electron beams whose space charge is neutralised by the residual gas ions. The problem is related to the development of electron cooling methods. The large space charge potential for high density electron beams is a significant drawback for the cooling process. In order to reduce this effect, an electron beam neutralisation system has been implemented on the LEAR cooler and the JINR test bench. In this paper we briefly discuss the physics of the neutralisation process, technological aspects of neutralisation, the measurement techniques and the results.

Storage ring with longitudinal magnetic field LEPTA (Stellatron)

The project of the Low Energy Particle Toroidal Accumulator (LEPTA) is dedicated to the construction of a positron storage ring with electron cooling of positrons circulating in the ring. Such a specific feature of LEPTA automatically enables it to be a generator of positronium (Ps) atoms, which appear in the recombination of positrons with cooling electrons inside the cooling section of the ring. The project has the following goals: particle dynamics in the modified betatron, electron cooling with a circulating beam, positronium generation in flight, positronium physics, and feasibility of antihydrogen generation in flight. All key elements of the ring—the kicker, electron beam injection system, helical quadrupole, septum magnet—have been tested, and the expected design parameters have been achieved for these elements. The construction of LEPTA has been completed, and the circulating electron beam has been achieved. This paper discusses the issues of particle dynamics in such an accelerator, the results of numerical simulation and experimental findings of the research into beam dynamics, measurement of betatron number and beam lifetime.

Experimental study of structure and stability of an intense neutralized electron beam

Abstract A maximal electron current in a neutralized electron beam is constrained by the beam-drift instability of the primary electrons and the neutralizing ions. To suppress this instability and to increase the threshold of the electron current, the active methods are usually used. As a result of the application of these methods the spectrum of neutralizing ions is changed. The measurement of the ion mass spectrum is performed with the special ion mass analyzer. The experiments on the JINR test bench show that the presence of light ions (hydrogen) in the beam decreases the threshold beam current related to the beam-drift instability.

Positron injector for LEPTA

The low energy positron injector for the Low Energy Particle Toroidal Accumulator (LEPTA) accumulator was assembled at the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR). Key elements of the injector have been tested. The cryogenic source of slow positrons was tested with a test isotope 22Na of the initial activity of 0.8 MBk. A continuous slow positron beam intensity of 5.8 × 103 particle per second with an average energy of 1.2 eV and a spectrum width of 1 eV has been obtained. The achieved moderator efficiency is about 1%. The accumulation process in the positron trap was investigated with electron flux. The lifetime of the electrons in the trap, τlife ≥ 80 s and capture efficiency ɛ ∼ 0.4, were obtained. The maximum number of accumulated particles was N exper = 2 × 108 at the initial flux of 5 × 106 electrons s−1.

The pulse injector of the low energy positrons

The pulsed injector of the low energy positrons for positron accumulator LEPTA has been constructed and tested at JINR. The injector is based on 22Na radioactive source. Positrons from the source are moderated in the solid neon and injected into positron trap, where they are accumulated during about 80 seconds. For injection the positrons are extracted by the pulsed electric field and accelerated up to the required energy. The injector will generate positrons of the energy of up to 10 keV at relative energy spread of 2•10-3, intensity of 108 - 109 particles per pulse and at injection pulse duration of 300 nsec. The cryogenic source of slow positrons has been tested with a test isotope 22Na of the initial activity of 80 MBk. The continuous slow positron beam with average energy spread of 1.2 eV, width of a spectrum 1 eV has been obtained. The achieved moderator efficiency is about 1%. The accumulation process in the positron trap was investigated with electron flux. The life time of the electrons in the trap, τlife ≥ 80 s and capture efficiency ε ~ 0.4 have been obtained. The maximum number of the accumulated particle was Nexper = 2*108 at the initial flux of 5•106 electrons per sec. The dynamics of slow positrons (electrons) in the injector and physics of the particle storage process are discussed in the report. The work is supported by RFBR grant No. 05-02-16320, the president of Russia Federation grant (MK-3948.2007.2) for supporting of young scientists and leading sceintific schools.

The LEPTA diagnostics and control system

The Low Energy Particle Toroidal Accumulator (LEPTA) is expected to provide experiments with intense flux of positronium. The diagnostics and control system of LEPTA consists of PCs and electronic equipment grouped in accordance with their applications. Devices in CAMAC standard, instrumentation and specially designed control cards imbedded in the LEPTA equipment are used.

A positron injector for the LEPTA accumulator

An injector of monochromatic positrons for the low-energy positron accumulator (LEPTA) is being tested at the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research. The source of positrons is the radioactive source 22Na. At the output of the source, positrons are slowed down in a solid target. Frozen neon is used as a moderator. For this purpose, a system of cryocooling of the source and the neon supply line have been assembled. A method of detection of slow positrons has been developed and tuned. The first experiments with the frozen moderator have been performed. A continuous beam of slow positrons with an average energy of 1.2 eV and spectrum width of 1 eV has been obtained.

Perspectives of LEPTA

The Low Particle Toroidal Accumulator (LEPTA) project is under development at JINR. The ring assembling is completed. The test experiments with circulating electron beam are in progress and the results are presented. Assembling and test of the positron injector is started. The program of experiment on directed o‐Ps flux generated at LEPTA is listed in the report. The first experiment that is under preparation presently has the goal to measure p‐Ps life time by interference of ortho‐ and para‐ states of Ps in magnetic field.

Formation of an intense electron beam in guns with a small-diameter cathode

In the given work the experimental results of formation of the electron beam with a current up to 4 A in the electron gun with the cathode of a small diameter - 13 mm are presented. The gun is intended for generation of intense electron beams in systems of electron cooling used for fast and deep cooling of ions in the scheme with large factor of expansion in a decreasing magnetic field.