Modulating-Anode Space Particle Accelerator for Controlled Plasma Wave Generation

This research aims to enhance the performance of a mod‐anode electron gun for future space‐based experiments, specifically for Beam2PIE, an advanced particle accelerator designed to investigate beam–plasma interactions and their role in space wave generation, particularly for Radiation Belt Remediation (RBR) applications. Whistler‐mode waves, Beam2PIE’s primary focus, play a critical role in Earth’s magnetosphere dynamics by scattering relativistic electrons into the loss cone, regulating the radiation belts. Lessons from the 2023 NASA–LANL sounding‐rocket mission Beam-PIE informed improvements in electron‐source resilience under harsh conditions. Early studies indicate that introducing a secondary anode between the cathode and main anode offers a robust alternative by enabling efficient beam modulation with reduced current and voltage requirements. Understanding these wave–particle interactions is essential for effective RBR strategies and the design of reliable space‐based particle accelerators.