Characterization of electron and ion current flow in very large aspect-ratio terawatt diodes employing heated and unheated anodes

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Abstract
Electron‐beam‐focusing experiments using tapered hollow cathodes have been performed at power levels exceeding 1012 W and with diode aspect ratios (radius/anode‐cathode spacing) of 24 and 45 (uncorrected for plasma motion). The spatial distributions of both the electron (using collimated p‐i‐n diodes) and ion currents (using quartz pressure gauges and Faraday cups) were measured simultaneously. Efficient electron‐beam pinches were produced at large R/d (≈24) using a diode configuration that employed a small‐diameter cathode and heated anode.