Self-magnetically insulated electron flow in vacuum transmission lines☆

The properties of the electron flow in self magnetically-insulated vacuum transmission lines are investigated. Experiments and analysis of three basic types of transitions in magnetically insulated lines indicate that beam effects dominate the power transport and electron stability. Faraday cup measurements of the loss current density to the anode show the usual electron component during the rise of the voltage and also a residual loss from negative ions. This low level loss current persists over a small fraction of the total electrode area after the electrons are insulated. The characteristics of the loss are strongly affected by how the plasma is formed.