Generation and focusing of intense light ion beams from pinched-electron beam diodes

Protons and deuterons produced in a pinch reflex diode are magnetically focused by the self-magnetic field of the ion current in the diode vacuum region and then focused ballistically in a gas filled drift region. With a flat diode geometry, peak ion powers approaching 1 TW (700 kA at 1.3 MV) have been produced corresponding to a 2/3 conversion efficiency of peak diode current to ion current. Ion beams self-focus 20–25 cm from the anode to provide peak current densities up to 50 kA/cm
²
within an 8 cm
²
area. With a curved diode geometry, peak ion current densities approaching 200 kA/cm
²
have been produced 8–10 cm from the anode apex over a 1 cm
²
area.