Collective-field acceleration of high-energy ions

A collective-field accelerator, evolving from experimental and theoretical research, uses a high-vacuum diode with an adjustable graphite cathode, as well as an insulated anode, and operates with a relativistic electron beam with $nu$/$gamma$ of approximately 1. Alternate gradient lenses are used to focus collectively accelerated particles. The gradients are produced by alternate dielectric and grounded lenses. The dielectric lenses are self charged by the electron beam, creating a potential difference in reference to the grounded lenses. These lenses focus both electrons and ions by convective processes. Deuterons were accelerated in pulses of approximately 10$sup 14$, producing up to 10$sup 11$ D-D neutrons per burst by impingement on suitable targets. Hydrogen, deuterium, carbon, fluorine, and chlorine ions were accelerated to produce both light- and heavy-ion reactions. Analysis of activation data shows that heavy ions with greater than 6 MeV per nucleon and protons with approximately 15 MeV energy were produced. Theoretical analysis indicates that the collective ion acceleration mechanisms arise from interactions with plasma-wave trains which are created by near-resonant, beam-cavity interactions and which are accelerated (in group velocity) through density and temperature gradients in the secondary plasma beyond the anode. (auth