Heating of solid targets by electron beams

The heating of a solid material by a high-energy electron beam is discussed. The two-dimensional transient nonlinear heat equation has been solved by the finite element method, considering both the penetration of the beam into the target and its finite size. The importance of the temperature dependences of each of the material properties on melt time have been established. Results are presented for the time needed for the first melting of the target for Cu, AI, Si, GaAs, impinged by beams having energies and parameters covering a wide range of values. Also the regimes of validity of the one-dimensional heat equation are discussed.