Experimental study of the electron beam compressed state breakup

The dynamics of breakup of the compressed state of an electron beam with a virtual cathode (VC) transported in a two-section drift tube of a high-current electron accelerator has been studied. Based on the results of numerical simulations, the method of partial capture of the injected beam current during the applied voltage pulse is proposed and implemented, which can ensure the conditions necessary for the breakup of the electron beam compressed state. The VC velocity during the breakup of the electron beam compressed state amounts to 6–8% of the velocity of light in vacuum. The experimental data qualitatively agree with the results of analytical estimations and numerical simulations.