Simulation of Space Charge Waves in Finite Length High-Current Beams with Wall Resistivity

Abstract

Collective space charge effects play an important role in intense unneutralized beams of non relativistic heavy ions, which are of interest in recently proposed high-current accelerators (such as drivers for inertial confinement fusion etc.). Of particular importance is the propagation of wave-like perturbations including the destabilizing effect of dissipation due to finite electrical conductivity in the surrounding walls. The propagation characteristics of such waves are investigated by means of 2½-dimensional computer simulation, with emphasis on dispersion, steepening (leading to solitary waves), and the problem of reflection of a growing wave at the beam tail with subsequent conversion into a damped wave propagating back into the beam. The net result on beam quality is discussed