Equilibrium electron-ion bunches in plasma

The criteria of the laminated electron-ion beam electrostatic equilibrium are found, the modulated beams with the modulation frequency lower than the Langmuir plasma frequency being treated. A self-focusing mechanism is shown to exist for both electron and ion bunches. The phenomenon also occurs in the external longitudinal magnetic field. In an external transverse magnetic field the action of the Lorenz force onto electrons and ions results in the particle escaping from the potential wells, in the edge regions of the beam cross-section. However, the polarization electric field, originating from the beam charge lamination, partially compensates the Lorenz force. This, in turn, results in the enhanced transport conditions of the layered beams trough a dense plasma as compared to the case of bunched electron beams. 4 refs., 2 figs