Energy balance in a double forming line operated in the bipolar pulse mode

The analysis of the energy balance in a double forming line that operates into a resistive load and an ion diode with self-magnetic insulation is presented. The studies were performed using a TEMP-4M accelerator, which consists of a capacitive storage—a pulse-voltage generator (PVG), a double forming line (DFL), and a vacuum ion diode with self-magnetic insulation of electrons (or a resistive load). The accelerator forms double pulses of opposite polarities: the first pulse is negative (300–600 ns, 150–200 kV), and the second is positive (120 ns, 250–300 kV). The energy losses in the forming line caused by the leakage current in water during the line charging and generation of an ion beam were determined, as well as the energy loss in gas-filled gaps. The performed studies showed that the total energy transferred from the PVG to the DFL is equal to the sum of the energy stored in the DFL and the energy loss in the load. The loss due to the leakage in water and in the gas-filled gap was within 4%. The efficiency of the energy transfer from the DFL to the load (a resistive load or a diode) and in the short-circuiting mode was analyzed. It was obtained that 90% of the energy that was stored in the DFL is transferred to the diode, and 90% of this energy is fed to the diode during the beam generation. The main energy loss (9–10%) occurs in gas-filled gaps. In this case, the efficiency of the energy transfer from the DFL to the load is independent of the energy stored in the DFL.