Collective space-charge phenomena in the source region

Abstract

For many devices space-charge-dominated behavior, including the excitation of space-charge collective modes, can occur in the source region, even when the downstream characteristics are not space-charge-dominated. Furthermore, these modes can remain undamped for many focusing periods. Traditional studies of the source region in particle beam systems have emphasized the behavior of averaged beam characteristics, such as total current, rms beam size, or emittance, rather than the details of the full beam distribution function that are necessary to predict the excitation of collective modes. A primary tool for understanding the detailed evolution of a space-charge-dominated beam in the source region has been the use of simulation in concert with detailed experimental measurement. However, “first-principle” simulations beginning from the emitter surface have often displayed substantial differences from what is measured. This is believed to result from sensitivities in the beam dynamics to small changes in the mechanical characteristics of the gun structure, as well as to similar sensitivities in the numerical methods. Simulations of the beam in the source region using the particle-in-cell WARP code and comparisons to experimental measurements at the University of Maryland are presented to illustrate the complexity in beam characteristics that can occur in the source region. In addition, direct measurement of the beam characteristics can be limited by lack of access to the source region or by difficulties in obtaining enough data to completely characterize the distribution function. Methods are therefore discussed for using simulation to infer characteristics of the beam distribution from the data that can be obtained.