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The formation and evolution of the cathode plasma in small-gap magnetically insulated transmission lines (MITLs) may lead to enormous current loss and even gap closure. This issue has been investigated through particle-in-cell/Monte Carlo collision simulations. Based on gas desorption from the cathode, the plasma is formed at the cathode when the emitted electrons collide with the desorbed gas contaminants. The expansion velocity and the electron and ion density distributions of the cathode plasma were analyzed. Rapid expansion of the plasma occurs when plasma instability increases due to a transverse magnetic mode in the MITL. Factors affecting the expansion velocity such as voltage amplitude and rate of gas desorption were examined. The simulation results indicated that a relatively high desorption rate of neutral gas resulted in a higher expansion velocity for the cathode plasma. This work extends our knowledge and understanding of cathode plasma dynamics in high-current MITLs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Negative and positive ions crossing the anode-cathode gap of a magnetically insulated transmission line (MITL) can cause non-negligible current loss and energy deposition on the electrodes, which may lead to the formation of anode plasma and the growth of cathode plasma. Furthermore, gap closure could occur due to the expansion of cathode plasma and anode plasma. In this paper, a model for magnetic insulation of both negative ion flow and positive ion flow is developed. The operating voltage V of the MITL is expressed as a function of the total current I0 and the boundary current Ib. The total current and the boundary current of the MITL are derived at saturated and self-limited flows, respectively. In addition, particle-in-cell simulations are implemented for the validation of the theoretical model. The thickness and density of the magnetically insulated ion layers are analyzed, and an empirical expression for space charge factor g is obtained through simulation results. This work extends the understanding of magnetically insulated ion flow in MITLs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The curved structure of a coaxial magnetically insulated transmission line (MITL) causes it to generate a nonuniform azimuthal magnetic field, which can disturb the electron flow and lead to a higher current loss when compared with a straight MITL. In this paper, the current loss mechanism and nonuniformity of the azimuthal magnetic field inherent to curved MITLs are investigated using theoretical analysis and particle-in-cell simulations. Results show that the critical current for magnetic insulation of the curved MITL increases with nonuniformity of the azimuthal magnetic field. The magnitude of the azimuthal magnetic field of the curved MITL can be described by a cosine distribution, lower in the outer region and higher in the inner region of the curved MITL. Nonuniformity of the azimuthal magnetic field decreases as electron current increases. Finally, an empirical expression relating to the structural parameters of curved MITLs is obtained for nonuniformity of the azimuthal magnetic field, which can be used to estimate the critical current for magnetic insulation in curved MITLs. This work extends the understanding of magnetic insulation in curved coaxial transmission lines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]