Two-species flow in relativistic diodes near the critical field for magnetic insulation

Abstract

An analysis of space-charge-limited counterstreaming flow of ions and electrons in a high-voltage planar diode in the presence of a strong transverse magnetic field is presented. A two-component one-dimensional cold-fluid model is used which includes most self-consistent effects. A substantial enhancement of ion current by a factor of 3–6 is found at fields slightly larger than the critical magnetic insulation field.