The physics and applications of modulated intense relativistic electron beams

This paper summarizes ten years of research in the generation, physics and application of modulated intense relativistic electron beams. With the knowledge accumulated during this period of time we can now project fully modulated electron beam sources to very high energies. These sources can drive high power RF sources, power directly high voltage gradient particle accelerators and be used to heat plasmas to thermonuclear temperature. The modulated intense relativistic electron beam sources, together with the repetitive HV sources that are now being developed, can revolutionize RF sources, accelerators and fusion devices.