Self-Trapping Electron Ring Accelerators

Simulations performed with a fluid MHD extension to the PIC plasma code CCUBE show that it is in principle possible to design liner-driven ring accelerators so that they generate their own trapping well. The liner elements are tapered in mass and respond in a predictable way to the driving acceleration. Currents arise as the liner moves through an imposed axial field, and if the liner shape is appropriate, a magnetic trapping well results. A cusp-injected electron ring is then introduced, trapped, and accelerated to high energies.