Performance of a self-magnetically Bθ - insulated ion diode

Experimental results on the performance of a selfmagnetically Bθ-insulated ion diode are presented. At a diode voltage of 450 keV and a diode impedance of 3 Ω an ion current of 28 kA has been observed. Measurements of the beam geometry at low ion efficiency show that the ion deflection in the insulating magnetic field is nearly independent of diode voltage due to the feedback mechanism of the self-magnetic insulation. Effects of material erosion on the anode support structure are interpreted as material disintegration by pressure waves due to leakage electrons.