Improving power flow in multiple-cathode magnetically insulated transmission lines

Summary form only given. Multiple-cathode magnetically insulated transmission lines (MITLs) are voltage-addition devices that topologically fall into one of three categories: (1) two MITLs feeding into one final MITL, any polarity; (2) three, or more, MITLs feeding into a final MITL, negative polarity, and (3) three, or more, MITLs feeding into a final MITL, positive polarity. A single cathode (main cathode) extends into all voltage sections of the system in categories (1) and (2). This allows a natural division of the electron flow (electrons emitted from any part of the main cathode) and injected flow (electrons emitted from any other cathode). How to optimize the locally emitted flow for maximum flow impedance has been considered. Maintaining the MITL flow impedance above the load impedance allows maximum power coupling. A figure that illustrates electron charge density contours in a self-limited category-(1) adder is presented.