Spectroscopic Determination of the Electrostatic Potential Profile in a Plasma Prefilled Ion Diode

Abstract

The electrostatic potential profile in the acceleration region of a plasma prefilled magnetically insulated ion diode (MID) has been determined using laser induced fluorescence (LIF). The plasma is generated by the electrical breakdown of an argon gas puff in the interior of the ion diode anode (prior to the application of the diode high voltage). The plasma prefill density ranges from 1 to 100 x 10 to the 12th power/cc as determined from the absolute light intensity of the 4806 A line of Ar + (assuming a coronal equilibrium model). The plasma temperature, obtained using Ar + line intensity ratios, ranges from 1.5 to 3.5 eV. A 6 cm x 10 cm Ar + ion beam is extracted from the MID by the application of a 320 - 400 kV, 80 ns pulse from a 10 omega pulsed power generator. Beam current densities as high as 55 A/cm 2 and beam purity as high as 90% (determined by time of flight measurements) have been obtained. Theses. (JHD)

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1989
Accession Number
ADA220580

Entities

People

  • Michael D. Coleman

Organizations

  • Cornell University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Computer Simulations
  • Current Density
  • Doppler Effect
  • Electron Density
  • Electrons
  • Equations
  • Fluorescence
  • High Voltage
  • Intensity
  • Ion Beams
  • Ions
  • Laser Induced Fluorescence
  • Measurement
  • Power
  • Pulsed Power
  • Simulations
  • Theses

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Plasma Physics.
  • Pulsed Power and Plasma Physics.

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy
  • Directed Energy - Lasers
  • Microelectronics