High power electron beam interaction with an aluminum target: Measurements and simulations

The study of the dynamic response of materials induced by electron beams requires precise knowledge of the beam when it interacts with the material. In this framework, the CESAR generator is used at CESTA. CESAR drives a field emission diode that delivers a single-shot intense electron pulse (approximate to 1MV, 300 kA, and 100 ns). The electron beam propagates into a gas-filled chamber where it is focused by a magnetic field onto an aluminum target. The analysis of the beam characteristics at the target position allows us to estimate the initial conditions required for precise hydrodynamic simulations. In this paper, we present the measurements of the electron beam characteristics. We paid particular attention to voltage, current, spatial homogeneity, dose rate, and incidence angles of electrons onto the target. Shocks induced in thin discs of aluminum are analyzed by using photon Doppler velocimetry, and the experimental data are compared with the predictions of simulations. Beam energy deposition is computed by using the 3D code Diane, and the hydrodynamic evolution of the target is performed with the code 2D/3D Hesione. Published under license by AIP Publishing.