Ion coupling efficiency for an extraction applied-B ion diode on the HELIA linear-induction adder in positive polarity

Initial experiments to investigate coupling of the four-stage HELIA linear-induction accelerator to a uniformly insulated applied-B ion diode in planar extraction geometry are reported. Results describing the efficient operation of an applied-B extraction ion diode coupled to the HELIA linear induction accelerator operated in positive polarity are reported. Operation of a close-coupled, undermatched, applied-B diode on HELIA was consistent with magnetically insulated transmission line (MITL) electron flow intermediate between locally emitted flow and generalized flow, rather than with full-gap flow. Peak ion coupling efficiencies of 60-70% and peak ion power levels of 0.3-0.4 TW have been achieved.<
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