Magnetic Insulation for Electrostatic Accelerators
- Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, P. O. Box 451, Princeton, New Jersey 08543 (United States)
The voltage gradient which can be sustained between electrodes without electrical breakdowns is usually one of the most important parameters in determining the performance which can be obtained in an electrostatic accelerator. We have recently proposed a technique which might permit reliable operation of electrostatic accelerators at higher electric field gradients, perhaps also with less time required for the conditioning process in such accelerators. The idea is to run an electric current through each accelerator stage so as to produce a magnetic field which envelopes each electrode and its electrically conducting support structures. Having the magnetic field everywhere parallel to the conducting surfaces in the accelerator should impede the emission of electrons, and inhibit their ability to acquire energy from the electric field, thus reducing the chance that local electron emission will initiate an arc. A relatively simple experiment to assess this technique is being planned. If successful, this technique might eventually find applicability in electrostatic accelerators for fusion and other applications.
- OSTI ID:
- 21611693
- Journal Information:
- AIP Conference Proceedings, Vol. 1390, Issue 1; Conference: 2. international symposium on negative ions, beams and sources, Takayama City (Japan), 16-19 Nov 2010; Other Information: DOI: 10.1063/1.3637419; (c) 2011 American Institute of Physics; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0094-243X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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