Investigation of high current electron beam dynamics in linear induction accelerator for creation of a high-power THz radiation source

The work addresses the use of electron beam produced by the linear induction accelerator to generate terahertz radiation pulses of 100 MW power level based on a free electron laser scheme. The beam parameters required for efficient generation are given. The features of transverse beam dynamics when transporting the beam through the linac are investigated. Emphasis is put on the electron injector which geometry and operation parameters mainly determine the beam characteristics at the linac exit. Most of the possible factors contributing to the beam emittance gain in the accelerator are considered. The obtained analytical estimates are compared to the numerical simulation results. The experimental results on compressing and transporting the beam having the electron energy of 5 MeV and the current of 1 kA in the transport system of free electron laser are presented.