Plasmoid Propagation.

Abstract

Simple analytical considerations suggest that for certain parameter regimes for costreaming ion and electron beams, radial equilibrium can be expected without charge or current neutrality. To investigate these predictions experimentally, a pulsed power system comprising separate anode and cathode pulsers was designed and assembled. A double diode was developed to produce the plasmoids, and its steady-state space charge limited current researched over modest distances in terms of net current transport, radial profile, and beam front velocity. The results described in this report include the analysis and methodology leading to the successful production of nonneutral plasmoids and their propagation over distances up to several drift tube radii at currents more than an order of magnitude larger than predicted for either electron or ion constituents separately. Keywords: Plasmoids; Charged particle beams; Beam propagation; Ion diodes; Pulsed power.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 12, 1988
Accession Number
ADA192378

Entities

People

  • Gerald F. Kiuttu
  • Michael K. Williams
  • Richard J. Adler
  • Robert J. Richter-sand

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics
  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Charged Particles
  • Current Density
  • Directed Energy Weapons
  • Electron Beams
  • Electron Energy
  • Electrons
  • Energy
  • Geometry
  • Governments
  • Ions
  • Measurement
  • Particle Beams
  • Production
  • Pulsed Power
  • Space Charge
  • Steady State
  • United States

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Pulsed Power and Plasma Physics.
  • Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy
  • Microelectronics
  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster