EFFECT OF FINITE ION MASS ON STABILITY OF A SPACE-CHARGE-NEUTRALIZED ELECTRON BEAM

The dispersion relation is derived for a finite length one-dimensional electron beam neutralized by positive ions with zero electron and ion temperatures. Contrary to previously published results it is shown that finite ion mass does not produce stability. There are two modes of instability, electron space-charge waves and ion oscillations. Their relative importance at different lengths is considered. © 1969 The American Institute of Physics.