The University of Maryland Electron Ring (UMER) is a beam transport system for the study of intense, space charge dominated electron beams. The nominal energy (10 keV) and current (100 mA) were chosen so that it could serve as an electron model for the beams to be used in heavy ion inertial fusion (HIF) experiments. This allows experiments relevant to HIF physics to be done in a smaller, less expensive facility. Although it is very compact (2 m radius), UMER contains a large number of diagnostics, including fast current monitors, beam position monitors, phosphor screens, and emittance scanners. UMER is the latest, and longest, in a series of similar experiments that have been conducted at the University of Maryland. The increased path length of UMER allows the study of various longitudinal processes, including end erosion and longitudinal focusing, velocity spread evolution, wave propagation, and modulation effects. These processes are important for HIF, advanced light sources, and other applications. This talk will describe our experimental facility, our recent results, and our plans for future work.


Talk Slides: (slides)