Dynamics of electron flow in extended planar-anode diode operating at 19 MV and 700 kA

Abstract

The electron flow in a planar-anode diode having an extended anode-cathode gap operating on the HERMES III accelerator is characterized and compared with predictions of a computational model. The model combines a particle-in-cell code with Monte Carlo radiation transport. The comparisons confirm the model and show that the diode provides both a matched load and a versatile large-area source of γ rays for the study of nuclear radiation effects. Electrical and spatial parameters of the beam at the diode and the downstream radiation fields from a graphite target are presented as a function of the anode-cathode gap.