A Micro-Pulse Electron Injector

41307 November 20, 1996 FM Technologies, Inc. High current electron pulses of short duration could be widely used in injector systems for electron accelerators, which have application in industry, medicine, and research. This project will develop a micro pulse electron injector system which is less complex, cumbersome, and expensive than existing systems. Because of its natural bunching process which self-synchronizes to the radio frequency (rf), the need for prebuncher section(s), as in a conventional injector is eliminated. Also eliminated is the need for a complex and expensive timing system and laser, as required in photo injectors. The micro-pulse electron injector will be capable of producing high current densities and short pulses for frequencies from 1-8 Ghz. Phase I will establish credible estimates of charge per bunch, rf power, pulse length, emittance, efficiency, beam power and operating parameters. Phase II will consist of the design, fabrication, and testing of a buncher/accelerator section along-with a previously developed micro-pulse electron gun. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: The micro-pulse electron injector should provide a high power, low emittance, picosecond-long electron source which is suitable for many applications. Of particular interest are high energy picosecond electron injectors for linear colliders, free electron lasers, medical and industrial rf linacs, and accelerator test facilities.