This paper addresses the development of a new high-voltage-gradient linear accelerator. This accelerator was energized by a modulated intense relativistic electron beam with power in the multigigawatt range. A 0.2-cm-diam electron beam emerged from the accelerator with a peak current of ∼200 A and peak kinetic energy ≥60 MeV. The length of the accelerating structure was 1 m. Simple scaling laws suggest that similar accelerators with much higher average electric fields can be built.

• Received 17 July 1989

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.63.2468