Radiation generated by bunched electron beams in corrugated plasma channels

The excitation of radiation by bunched electron beams propagating in miniature corrugated plasma channels is considered. It is shown that the rate at which power is radiated by a beam is characterized by impedance that depends on the properties of the channel. For experimentally obtainable parameters radiation bursts of multiple millijoules can be achieved. The spectrum of the radiation can be made narrow and controlled through the properties of the channel. The effects of spatial variations in the channel parameters on the spectrum are also described. (C) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3431089]