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The plasma wake field accelerator requires a plasma density of 5 x 10 to the 13th power to 5 x 10 to the 14th power cucm in order to achieve a significant wake field amplitude (eE > 10 Mev/m/nCoul). Our earlier attempts with RF produced plasmas and BaO coated cathodes resulted in plasma densities which approached 9 x 10 to the 12th power cucm. In this report, we will describe the preliminary measurements of a plasma produced by an indirectly heated Lanthanum Hexaboride cathode. The main advantages of Lanthanum Hexaboride (LaB6) are that: (1) LaB6 has a high emission current density (20 A/sq cm at 1700 C0; (2) it has a low evaporation rate (almost two order of magnitudes lower than tungsten); and (3) it is immune to accidental exposure to air.

This is a briefing on the Strategic Defense Initiative. Topics include: challenges to the system, defense-in-depth, architecture, technology, engagement, cost reductions, technology spinoffs, etc.