Kinetic theory of ion acceleration by an electron beam in the case of gas ionization by an external source

The optimal characteristics of an ionization source, providing for the synchronization of the ionization front motion with that of the accelerated ions, are investigated theoretically. The associated acceleration fields are analyzed; the dynamics of the formation of a bunch of accelerated ions and the effect of beam relaxation and front width on the acceleration process are examined. It is shown that this method can be used to accelerate protons to an energy of 50 meV over a distance of 100 cm in a certain front width range even when various destabilizing factors are taken into account.