Injection and temporary capture of a charged particle beam in an open magnetic configuration. Optimization of the configuration. Case of cylindrical symmetry: A mirror machine

A study has been made of a new method of transverse injection of charged particles into a magnetic mirror configuration. This injection scheme permits the penetration and temporary capture by non-adiabatic effect of a particle beam of approximately 1 cm2 cross-section. A theoretical study of the injection and capture is made in the approximation that space charge is negligible. The original programs for IBM 7094 computer calculations are described; these programs were used to obtain an optimization of the configuration. The results of a statistical numerical study of the optimum configuration are then given. This study indicates that, if the energy of the particles of the beam is about 1 per cent greater than a minimum penetration energy, the entire beam can be captured with an average capture length of 100 meters (50 reflections between the two mirrors). If the energy is about 4 per cent greater than the minimum penetration energy, the capture length is reduced to 40 meters. We have studied the distribution of energy transverse and longitudinal with the magnetic field for the population of captured particles. For the cases of injected molecular hydrogen ions or heavy CH4+ ions, a study is made of the capture time of protons resulting from the dissociation of the ions by collisions with the neutral gas. Finally, we describe a model experiment using electrons designed to provide an experimental verification of the capture of the primary beam. (author)