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Title: Operation of an extraction, applied-B diode using an externally-driven, metallic foil anode plasma source

Conference ·
OSTI ID:182757

The authors are developing an extraction, applied-B ion diode, on the Gamble II generator at NRL, for ion-beam-transport research in support of the SNL light-ion ICF program. An ion beam with a voltage above 1 MV and a proton current of 150--200 kA is required for transport experiments. At present they are using hardware which allows a maximum anode area of {approximately}60 cm{sup 2}. These parameters result in enhancement factors 2--3 times greater than those in similar experiments at Cornell, SNL, and KfK. In addition, the early, high-impedance phase of the diode must be minimized to prevent insulator flashover. Transport experiments with beam focusing also preclude ion beam angular momentum. A version of the EMFAP source, developed at Cornell and improved at KfK, is used to provide prompt turn-on of the ion current. To date the authors have obtained ion beams with rapid turn-on, high currents and current densities, high ion efficiencies (80%), relatively stable impedance behavior, and negligible angular momentum. Unfortunately, these have not all been obtained on the same shot. Electron loss current flowing through the anode foil is seen to play an important role in evolution of the anode plasma. Under the conditions of this experiment, the diode self-magnetic field is also important. Work at present centers on viewing the existing data in light of the refined field measurements, coupled with PIC modeling, to identify an operating regime that will provide the required electrical behavior without beam angular momentum.

OSTI ID:
182757
Report Number(s):
CONF-950612-; ISBN 0-7803-2669-5; TRN: IM9608%%122
Resource Relation:
Conference: 22. international conference on plasma science, Madison, WI (United States), 5-8 Jun 1995; Other Information: PBD: 1995; Related Information: Is Part Of IEEE conference record -- abstracts: 1995 IEEE international conference on plasma science; PB: 312 p.
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English