Observations of the stable equilibrium and classical diffusion of field reversing relativistic electron coils

Abstract

Observations of high current relativistic electron coils are presented and interpreted theoretically. Electron coil self-magnetic field strengths up to almost twice that of the external magnetic field at the mirror center are observed. Lifetimes up to 30 μsec are related to the classical diffusion of electron coils in a stable equilibrium state. The diffusion mechanism is verified as inelastic small angle scattering of the relativistic electrons from a neutral gas background.