Electric fields, electron production, and electron motion at the stripper foil in the Los Alamos Proton Storage Ring

Abstract

The beam instability at the Los Alamos Proton Storage Ring (PSR) most likely involves coupled oscillations between electrons and protons. For this instability to occur, we must have a strong source of electrons, and so we have begun to investigate the various sources of electrons in the PSR. We expect copious electron production in the injection section because this section contains the stripper foil. This foil is mounted near the center of the beam pipe, and both circulating and injected protons pass through it, thus allowing ample opportunity for electron production. In this paper we will discuss various mechanisms for electron production, beam-induced electric fields, and electron motion in the vicinity of the foil.