Electron Ring Accelerator Research at the University of Maryland

The feasibility of forming E rings by injecting a hollow beam through a static cusped magnetic field is being investigated in the University of Maryland ERA project. Recently, we demonstrated the trapping of such rings using a resistive wall in conjunction with a static magnetic mirror. This paper presents studies with a time varying mirror coil so that reacceleration of the ring after trapping can be examined. Results concerning the coherent motion of the rings and axial focusing due to an inner squirrel cage conductor are presented. Based on these results, design studies for the next stage of the UMERA system are discussed. Research supported by the National Science Foundation.