Electron-stream-solid interaction

High-current, relativistic, electron streams with low energy of transverse motion under-go very tight pinching in high-density matter. Power flux densities of 1016 W/cm2 are realizable from modest electron streams, 50-100 kA at several MV, interacting with solids. Both cylindrical and spherical self-generated interaction geometries obtain from conditions realizable by use of dielectric-rod cathodes. © 1975 The American Physical Society.