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RF-modulated electron beams, such as those produced by an RF linear accelerator, propagating through vacuum, air, and solid matter are well known to drive signals in microwave cavities and waveguides via interactions with these structures. Past experiments with a microwave waveguide in a radiation-shielded vault indicated the presence of a multipath propagation phenomenon, hypothesized to be a result of reflections of RF-modulated x rays. In this work, we study the signals induced in a microwave coaxial cable from nearby beam interactions with materials commonly found in accelerator facilities in order to better understand RF production and propagation in these environments. Our results show that (1) when an RF-modulated electron beam is incident on a block of aluminum, lead, or concrete, the frequency content of the induced microwave signals is strongly dependent on the orientation of the block and the relative position of the detector, (2) at least some of the detected signals are consistent with reflections off of the blocks, and (3) beam interactions with the blocks can induce appreciable microwave signals in detectors located tens of cm from the block. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A previous publication [P. D. McChesney, "Multi-plate interceptive electron beam energy diagnostic—Theoretical design," AIP Adv. (submitted)] reported a new interceptive electron beam kinetic energy measurement technique based on the beam penetration depth within a stack of conductive plates and gave results on the theoretical design of such a device. This paper expands on this and gives further results on the actual implementation of the diagnostic. The device geometry and measurement electronics system are described in detail. A prototype version of the multi-plate diagnostic was fabricated and tested using an electron linear accelerator at the Idaho Accelerator Center (IAC). A high-precision magnetic spectrometer system was designed and built for the purpose of validating the multi-plate diagnostic's energy measurement capabilities. It was found that the diagnostic provides electron beam energy estimates that are accurate to better than the 10% level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]