The paper presents the results of calculation and optimization of a structure of a radial insulating magnetic field in an acceleration gap of a high-power ion diode. A diode configuration with an induction plasma source and an anode configuration with azimuthally symmetrical slots and a pair of cathode coils of a magnetic diode system have been studied. When the size of the slots is ≤5 mm and codirectional magnetic fields of a diode and shock induction coil, the perturbation of the B-field does not exceed ≤20% and is located in the region near the anode. In this condition, the topology of the magnetic field В = f(1/r) is maintained in the acceleration gap. It was shown that the required radial distribution of the B-field can be optimized by varying the anode profile in the region opposite to two cathode coils of the diode magnetic system.

A 100 kV ion source test stand formerly operated at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory has been relocated to Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, where it is being installed and prepared for operation. A variety of topics relevant to ion-beam-driven high energy density physics and heavy ion fusion will be explored at this facility. The practicality of magnetic insulation to improve the performance of electrostatic accelerators will be investigated by determining whether a pair of parallel plates forming a high-voltage gap can sustain higher electric field gradients, when an electric current is passed through the electrode at the cathode potential so as to produce a magnetic field, which is everywhere parallel to the surface. The facility will also be used to develop and characterize improved plasma sources for space charge neutralization of intense ion beam systems such as the Neutralized Drift Compression Experiment-II facility. The negative halogen ion beam and ion-ion plasma studies previously initiated when this test facility was located at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory will be resumed, and other experimental topics are also under consideration.

A condition for the transition of the electron beam produced in a coaxial rod-pinch diode to the mode of magnetic insulation has been established from the law of conservation of particle and field momentum fluxes. The magnetic field of the external current has been shown to contribute twice as much to magnetic insulation of the beam as the magnetic field of the electron beam self-current. Based on the relations derived, a model has been constructed for magnetic insulation of the electron flow in high-current rod-pinch diodes, which are used for radiography of high speed phenomena. The obtained theoretical results agree well with the results of numerical calculations and with experimental data gained at the Naval Research Laboratory (USA).