Windowless output for high power-low energy electron accelerators

The purpose of this paper is to outline the electron beam window efficiency and its ability to operate at electron beam power levels approaching MW in geometries suitable for process stream. A windowless high power electron accelerator designed as a point source can offer: compact construction, high energy and high beam power operation, no window is required (primary or secondary), no losses in the output system and better performance in efficiency and cost when beam power level is above 500 kW. The following disadvantages are considered for windowless accelerators: the necessity of using a multistage vacuum pump system, non-homogeneity of dose distribution, additional processes caused by higher temperature levels and no experience in flue gas application.