Geometric focusing of intense pulsed ion beams from racetrack type magnetically insulated diodes

Abstract

Focusing properties and mechanisms are experimentally investigated of an intense pulsed light-ion beam or a medium-mass ion beam extracted from racetrack type magnetically insulated diodes. Quantitative determinations are made for three factors that affect the focusing ability of the beam, i.e., local divergence angle, deviation angle from ideal trajectory and space-charge effect. Behaviour of electrons in an anodecathode gap as well as neutralizing process of the ion beam by electrons are studied in connection with beam focusing. It is found that there is a close correlation between ion yield and electron irradiation on the anode. By adopting a perforated cathode instead of a vane cathode to ensure good uniformity of electric field in the accelerating gap, we have succeeded in significantly reducing the divergence angle. Several new diagnostic techniques and methods have been developed, yielding information such as the time-resolved trajectory and profile or incident angle of the beam. Electron temperature of the anode plasma is theoretically anticipated from the ions observed experimentally. From an estimate of beam divergence due to a space-charge effect, it is suggested that ‘breakeven’ can be achieved without using conventional z-discharged plasma channels if a bunch of boron beams is utilized.