ISSN:
1089-7550
Source:
AIP Digital Archive
Topics:
Physics
Notes:
Results of a time-resolved study of optical emissions from high-current relativistic (6.5 MeV) electron beams propagating in air at a pressure of 150 mTorr are presented. The emissions included N+ lines at λλ4803, 4630, 4552, and 4530 A(ring). Data were obtained on a single-shot basis by simultaneously recording the temporal history of all four ion lines. For propagating electron beam pulses, each ion line exhibited peak intensity a few microseconds after the passage of the 80-ns-wide electron pulse. This behavior is explained on the basis of inductive (magnetic) energy storage in the return current plasma channel. Spatially integrated plasma temperatures are measured to be in the 20 000–30 000 K range, reaching a maximum when the inductive energy storage has gone to zero.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.336414
