Design of a reversible polarity LTD for electron beam diode research

Linear transformer driver accelerator designs have been proposed and constructed for a number of pulsed power experiments. The accelerators are typically optimized for one type of load with a specific load impedance profile. A LTD accelerator has been designed that is capable of generating -3.5-MV pulses for self-magnetic pinch diode experiments, and +2.5-MV pulses for rod pinch diode experiments. In positive polarity, the field stress on the outer cathode conductor is below the electron emission threshold and the output transmission line is a vacuum insulated line without electron flow. Conversion from positive to negative polarity requires a simple change of power supply polarity. A prototype cavity has been designed.