Kiloampere Electron Beam of a Linear Induction Accelerator as a Driver for a Submillimeter Free Electron Laser

project for a submillimeter free electron laser (FEL) based on a relativistic electron beam (REB) generated in a linear induction accelerator (LIA) is proposed for the Budker Institute of Nuclear Physics, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, and the Institute of Applied Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences. A theoretical analysis shows that the electron beam generated in the LIA (energy E_e = 5-10 MeV, current I_b = 1-2 kA, normalized emittance ε_n 1100 π mm mrad) is a suitable driver for generating subgigawatt pulses of coherent EM radiation in the submillimeter range of wavelengths (0.3–1 THz). The main proposals for developing a FEL based on the electron beam generated in a linear induction accelerator are presented, the main project tasks are outlined, and proposed ways of solving them are described. Results from electron-optical experiments on the formation of an electron beam intended for FEL applications are presented.