IBEX Foilless Diode Experiments

A new high voltage isolated Blumlein accelerator (IBEX) has been designed and constructed. A new accelerator pulse-forming-line (PFL) configuration produces an output voltage pulse equal to the PFL charge voltage for a matched load (as in a conventional Blumlein circuit); however, the prepulse level is negligible and both sides of the diode remain at electrostatic ground potential. With a matched planar diode load, IBEX has generated a 4 MeV, 100 kA electron beam. In the present stage of experimentation, a foilless diode load is being used to produce 3-4 MeV, 20-30 kA annular electron beams with an applied magnetic field strength of ~10 kG.