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ANOMALOUS INTENSE DRIVER (AID) CONCEPT by Lester E. Thode ABSTRACT An optimized electron bunching mechanism is utilized to efficiently couple the energy of a 5 to 100 MeV, 1 to 30 TW electron be^i into to_{^0 plasma of electron density 10 to 10 cm . An efficient coupling of beam energy and momentum to the plasma is possible due to the relativistic nature of the beam dynamics combined with the short wavelength of the bunching mechanism in a high-den- sity plasma. The rapidly produced multi-kilovolt plasma can be used directly to develop a pulsed neutron and x-ray source. Alternatively, the plasma can be used to drive a hierarchy of inertial con- finement or x-ray devices. Utilizing this novel concept, controlled thermonuclear fusion may be achievable within present or near term relativistic electron beam technology. I. INTRODUCTION The Anomalous Intense Driver (AID) concept is an outgrowth of my investi- 13 gations concerning the feasibility of heating a magnetically confined 10 to 17 “3 1“8 10 cm density plasma using an intense relativistic electron beam. In the short term, the concept offers the potential for significant advancement in pulsed x-ray and neutron source technology, with materials studies, radiography, and weapons effects simulations as direct applications. Controlled thermo- nuclear fusion may also be achievable within present or near term relativistic electron beam technology. Central to the concept is the rapid heating of a 17 20 -3 3 10 -10 electron cm , 3 to 50 cm' volume of plasma by an intense, high- voltage relativistic electron beam. An efficient coupling is achieved through 1
