SIMILARITY OF STABILITY CHARACTERISTICS OF PLANAR AND COAXIAL CROSSED-FIELD DIODES

Simulations of cylindrical crossed-field diodes for anode/cathode radi us ratios of 2 and 5 indicate that the limiting current curve in the r egion B<B-H in coaxial. diodes follows the planar theory and simulatio ns very closely. Coaxial diodes also follow planar theory predicting t ransition to turbulence in the region B>B-H. Larger radius ratio (10, 20) diodes show somewhat larger limits. These results show little vari ation with respect to operating voltage or cathode radius. A possible explanation for this behavior is also examined. (C) 1996 American Inst itute of Physics.