Determination of the energy of a relativistic electron beam by measuring the thickness of the colored layer in glass

Abstract

A method for determining the energy of relativistic electrons, which was used in the investigation of electromagnetic fields in plasma and dielectric structures, is described. The electron energy was determined by the extrapolated track of electrons in glass, which was estimated by the thickness of the colored (darkened) layer formed by electrons. The density distribution of the colored layer along the direction of electron motion makes it possible to record the width of the beam energy spectrum and the beam position relative to the axis of the transit channel. A stack of glass plates on which the beam is incident can be installed in the transit channel of the dielectric structure or in plasma. Each plate in the stack is placed in parallel to the beam axis. After irradiation of the plates with relativistic electrons, the colored layer depth and the density distribution are determined. Examples of determining the electron energy of a pulsed relativistic electron beam are presented. The method is insensitive to electromagnetic noise, is inexpensive, simple, and easy to use.