On the properties of cathode plasma in the diode with magnetic insulation

In this paper there are given the results of investigations of the cathode plasma properties formed in the magnetic field in the process of the explosive emission. It has been shown that electron beam duration in the diode with the magnetic insulation is determined by the time of closing the gap by the plasma. The measured plasma velocity across the magnetic field with B ≥ 10⁴ G is equal to 0.45 cm/µs and did not depend on the cathode material (C, Al, Cu). The cathode plasma composition is investigated. It has been shown that the cathode material and the cracking products are present in the plasma. The possible mechanism of plasma velocity decrease in the magnetic field is discussed.