Experimental investigations of positive ion flow in a double diode

The double diode, or reflex triode, has been investigated experimentally. This device consists of a semitransparent anode located between two cathodes in a configuration which produces multiply reflected electrons combined with positive ion flow. The effects of the strength of the applied axial magnetic field, anode materials, and anode thickness were systematically explored. The voltage-current characteristics of the diode are- consistent with a theoretical model which includes the energy loss and scattering of electrons in the anode. Decreasing the anode thickness causes a decrease in anode voltage and an increase in ion production. Conventional operation is observed in diodes when the number of multiple reflections is reduced either by removing the axial magnetic field or by increasing the thickness of the anode.