PRODUCTION OF 0.5-TW PROTON PULSES WITH A SPHERICAL FOCUSING, MAGNETICALLY INSULATED DIODE

The production, focusing, and numerical simulation of a 0.5-TW proton beam is reported. This beam is produced with a spherical, magnetically insulated, ion diode fed symmetrically by the dual-pulse-line Proto I generator. The ions are accelerated with electric fields due to a virtual cathode supported by magnetic field surfaces. Approximately 75% of the diode electrical power is delivered to ions and 25% of the ion beam is focused upon thin, 1-cm-diam, 1-cm-long conical targets to produce the first experimental ion-driven implosions. © 1979 The American Physical Society.