Plasma-anode ion diode research at Cornell: Repetitive-pulse, and 0.1 TW single-pulse experiments

The magnetized anode plasma (MAP) ion source for magnetically-insulated ion diodes was shown in the LONG-SHOT experiment¹⁾ to have some significant advantages over standard “flashboard” anodes. A second generation of MAP diodes is being developed in two experiments: RRID, a high repetition-rate ion diode and a diode to run at 500kV, ~0.1 TW on the Neptune 3Ω pulse line. In both experiments, improved preionization of the gas puff which forms the anode plasma has proved critical for reproducible operation. RRID is now investigating the limits on rep.-rate approaching 1kHz, and Neptune will test the scaling of ion current density usable pulse length and beam optics to higher power pulses.