Method of Generating Very Intense Positive-Ion Beams

Pulsed Ion Diode Experiment

“…This indicates that ion currents were emitted from the region of the reflexing electrons which in our experiment had helical axial trajectories rather than the one-dimensional trajectories analyzed in theory. 2 The dominance in our experiment of the reflex ion diode mechanism over that due to beam pinching 3 is indicated by the observed voltage dependence upon anode foil thickness, a phenomenon predicted by reflex theory and not expected in pinched-beam ion diodes.…”

“…1 " 3 Intense ion flows in the diode regions of electron beam generators have, in fact, been invoked to explain aspects of the observed diode behavior for both self-pinched flows 3 and reflex diode configurations. 2 Ion current densities up to several kiloamperes per square centimeter and total ion currents ranging from 50 to 150 kA have been produced at voltages of 100-300 kV in a modified relativistic-electron-beam diode. The experiments are in general accord with the predictions of a recent reflex-triode theory.…”

“…2 To measure ion flow, we added Faraday collectors with self-contained calorimeters, and neutron counting diagnostics. Four Faraday collectors were located within the cathode stalk.…”

“…First, when higher hydrogen fill pressures were used in the drift tube the virtual cathode became neutralized well before diode closure; thus electrons ceased being reflected back into the diode and the diode returned to its normal impedance state. 2 Second, when a solid plate was located in the drift tube approximately one anode tube diameter from the I anode foil the diode also operated only in a normal impedance state. This plate apparently distorted the potential lines forming the virtual cathode and prevented electron reflection.…”

Adiabatic wall focusing of intense ion beams for the ignition of thermonuclear microexplosions

“…The method requires space charged neutralized intense beams of energetic ions for which three methods have been proposed and which are 1. the magnetically insulated diode [23, 2. the reflex triode [3,4] and 3. the magnetically selfinsulated diode [5]. To obtain very high beam intensities at the target a number of methods have been suggested.…”