High-gradient accelerator based on a superlight source of radiation

Summary form only given, as follows. A wide-band microwave generator using a superlight source is proposed to be used as a charged particle accelerator. The application of high power microwave generation on the basis of a superlight source of electromagnetic radiation increases the microwave device power to tens of times and more in comparison with existing sources; reduces the pulse duration to tens of picoseconds or less and moreover it allows us to lift the restriction on the size of accumulated energy area that is common to traditional technologies. It is known that electron current pulse propagating along some surface with superlight velocity generates an electromagnetic wave. It is known that such pulse occurs when ionizing radiation illuminates some surface. The arrangement of the emission current over the surface constitutes an antenna with phased excitation such that the radiated wave is emitted in the direction corresponding to specular reflection of the ionizing radiation. If the illuminated surface is the focusing mirror for the incident radiation then the electromagnetic wave energy comes down to a point at focus and electric field strength can reach the value of order of 1 GeV/cm and more inside some volume near the focus. According to theoretical estimations, the electric field amplitude as high as /spl sim/0.1 TV/m or more can be attained at the focus of a paraboloidal emitting surface with a focal parameter of /spl sim/1 m. These estimations are supported by numerical calculations. The schematic diagram of such an accelerator is suggested.