Statement
7.2.9. A thin parallel beam of charged particles accelerated by a potential difference
Solution
In this solution, the problem is considered strictly in accordance with the text of the condition: the model is a uniformly charged spherical cavity (an empty shell inside), all of whose charge is concentrated on the surface, and which has 2 small holes for the beam of charged particles to pass through.
1. Problem model
First, let's justify why the longitudinal velocity of the particles
To calculate the electric fields, we apply the "superposition principle". Let us represent the real shell with two holes as a superposition of two systems:
- An ideal continuous charged sphere with surface density
. - Two small disks with charge density
located at the entrance and exit holes (they "cut out" the holes in the continuous sphere).
The field inside an ideal continuous sphere is strictly zero. Therefore, all the electric field inside the cavity is created exclusively by these two local disks. The field of each disk is maximal near the hole itself and rapidly decays with distance from it. Therefore, the change in the particle's momentum occurs not smoothly, but in the form of two sharp "kicks" at the moments of passing through the holes.
2. First transverse momentum at the entrance
Let the particle fly at a distance
The cylinder cuts out an area with a charge
By Gauss's theorem, the flux of the electric field vector through the lateral surface of this cylinder is:
From this, the integral of the transverse field in the first hole zone is:
The transverse momentum acquired by the particle when breaking through the local field of the entrance hole is:
3. Focus check inside the cavity
Having received the first transverse momentum, the particle flies deeper into the cavity. It acquires a transverse velocity
The time it would take for the particle to reach the axis is
Substituting the found momentum:
The kinetic energy of the particles is given by the accelerating voltage:
The potential at the center of the charged sphere is
Substituting this into the formula for
By condition
4. Second momentum and total focal length
Flying through the exit hole at a distance
The total transverse momentum after leaving the target:
The final focal length
Again substituting
Answer
*Note: This result is a strict consequence for an empty spherical shell. The answer in the official solutions manual is likely obtained for an alternative model, possibly - a solid charged sphere with a through cylindrical channel.*