Collective instabilities and beam-plasma interactions in intense heavy ion beams

Abstract

This paper presents a survey of the present theoretical understanding of collective processes and beam-plasma interactions affecting intense heavy ion beam propagation in heavy ion fusion systems. In the acceleration and beam transport regions, the topics covered include discussion of the conditions for quiescent beam propagation over long distances; the electrostatic Harris-type instability and the transverse electromagnetic Weibel-type instability in strongly anisotropic, one-component non-neutral ion beams; and the dipole-mode, electron-ion two-stream instability driven by an (unwanted) component of background electrons. In the plasma plug and target chamber regions, collective processes associated with the interaction of the intense ion beam with a charge-neutralizing background plasma are described, including the electrostatic electron-ion two-stream instability, the electromagnetic Weibel instability, and the resistive hose instability. Operating regimes are identified where the possible deleterious effects of collective processes on beam quality are minimized.