V. Engelko¹ , G. Mueller² , V. Kavaljov¹, O.Komarov¹

The distribution of the deposited energy density inside a target is determined by the beam current density, the kinetic energy and the angular distribution of the beam electrons. The knowledge of the angular distribution of the beam electrons is important because it determines not only the distribution of the deposited energy inside the target but also the beam portion able to pass a compressing channel.

The method used here for experimental determination of the electron beam angular distribution is based on the study of the electron beam passing through a special collimator having a small hole with a radius of about the Larmour radius of the electrons. The electron current passing through such a collimator decreases when the length of the collimator is increased. The greater the angular spread of the electron beam the more is the current reduced.

In this paper we present the results from measurements, performed at the pulsed electron beam facilities GESA 1, GESA 2 and ELDIS. In all three facilities the electron source is a multipoint explosive emission cathode. This is important because the electron angular distribution depends substantially on the cathode geometry.