New developments in pulsed power technology and associated electron beam transport mechanisms at the United Kingdom Atomic Weapons Establishment

Summary form only given. The Pulsed Power Group at AWE is interested in the generation of small, intense, multi-megavolt X-ray sources for radiographic applications. For this paper, research has been carried out into electron beam transport and focusing studies on one of our single pulse forming line flash X-ray machines. Experiments were undertaken on E Minor to improve the radiographic spot size generated by our ´paraxial diode´. This is a novel anode/cathode assembly designed to produce a small diameter electron beam focused onto a high Z target. Electrons are propagated through a gas-filled cone such that their electrostatic repulsive and magnetic attractive forces are almost cancelled. For this paper, research has been undertaken to optimise the paraxial diode to improve its performance in both dose output and radiographic spot size.