Static compression of relativistic-electron rings

Abstract

We describe a variation of Veksler's "collective-ion acceleration" principle by which electrons of energy 100-1000 MeV are injected in a static magnetic field to form an electron ring of rather large initial diameter; the electron ring then is subjected to successive axial accelerations taking place at constant radius in a decreasing magnetic field, and decelerations taking place in an increasing magnetic field under adiabatic conditions. The functional dependence of the electrons' azimuthal mechanical momentum on the axial magnetic field is different for the two field configurations, and the result is a net compression of the electron ring at the end of each stage of axial acceleration and deceleration. © 1969 The American Physical Society.