Production and Impact Effects of Fast Charged Particles

Masses ranging from 1.67 x 10-24 gm (a single proton) to about 10-10 gm can be charged and electrostatically accelerated to high velocities. Beams of projectiles in the low-mass end of this range with unprecedented intensities are being produced or planned for fusion research. Light-ion (H+) beam currents approaching 106 A have been generated in modified electron-beam devices. Heavy-ion (U+) currents exceeding 103 A are anticipated from accelerators now being designed. Charged solid projectiles with relatively large masses (10-15-10-10 gm) have been accelerated to velocities as high as 106 cm/sec. Impact of both intense ion beams and hypervelocity microparticles on solid targets produces hydrodynamic flow and crater formation. Target plasmas with temperatures in the 104-106 K range are also produced by fast charged particles.