Study of electromagnetic shock wave in modified MITL

The modified magnetically insulated transmission line (MITL) has a dielectric filled break in the cathode part. Propagation of electromagnetic energy along this line is defined by the dielectric flashover and is inherently a shock electromagnetic wave-the TEM wave with a transverse current leakage. As a result of the evolution of this intricate process, a high-power (1-10/sup 4/ GW) electron beam/electric pulse may be generated in the time range of 0.1-1 ns. The purpose of this presentation is to show new experimental results gained from continuing studies at the ZET accelerator in MRTI and at an essentially different accelerator facility-the linear induction accelerator I-3000 (3 MeV, 20 kA, 20 ns)-in ARRIEP. Newly, in both cases, REB's front shortening from 10-15 ns up to a value less then 1 ns has obtained.