Fundamentals of Beam Physics

This text discusses the fundamental physical concepts involved in understanding charged particle and photon beams. The presentation is unified; particle dynamics in linear and circular accelerators are discussed in common language, as are the evolution of particle and laser beams. This book is aimed at the advanced undergraduate student, and contains numerous illustrative exercises.

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This book presents beam physics using a unified approach, emphasizing basic concepts and analysis methods. While many existing resources in beams and accelerators are specialized to aid the professional practitioner, this text anticipates the needs of physics students. The central concepts underpinning the physics of accelerators, charged particle, and photon beams are built up from familiar, intertwining components, such as electromagnetism, relativity, and Hamiltonian dynamics. These components are woven into an illustrative set of examples that allow investigation of a variety of physical scenarios. With these tools, single particle dynamics in linear accelerators are discussed, with general methods that are naturally extended to circular accelerators. Beyond single particle dynamics, the proliferation of commonly used beam descriptions are surveyed and compared. These methods provide a powerful connection between the classical charged particle beams, and beams based on coherent waves - laser beams. Aspects of experimental techniques are introduced. Numerous exercises, and examples drawn from devices such as synchrotrons and free-electron lasers, are included to illustrate relevant physical principles.