Injector losses on Mite

One of the most critical areas in a magnetically-insulated power feed is the injector section. In this portion of the feed, the electric field at the cathode becomes sufficient to cause cathode plasma formation and electron flow in the gap. We have used Faraday cups and filtered 4-chlorostyrene monitors to measure losses in this initial portion of the Mite (2 MV, 4.8 ohm) magnetically-insulated transmission line. Electron losses in the injector are measurable and last through most of the pulse. The propagation of the magnetic insulation wave through the injector region is slower in the injector region (approx..4c) than in the rest of the line (approx..6c). These experiments were performed using both carbon-coated and bead-blasted aluminum surfaces.