The University of Maryland Electron Ring Accelerator Concept (Invited Paper)

The ERA scheme being studied at the University of Maryland with collaboration of NRL and NBS involves the formation of the electron ring in a static rather than pulsed magnetic field. The main technical features, present status of the project and future plans are reviewed. Preliminary experimental studies with a 2 MeV injector are being carried out at NBS. A 5-MeV injector will be built by NRL. Extensive theoretical investigations have been carried out and design work for the compressor and expansion-acceleration system is in progress.