Space-Charge Limited Current for a Non-Planar Crossed-Field Diode

Crossed-field devices (CFDs) use orthogonal magnetic and electric fields to generate reliable, cycloidal flows of electrons 1 . Individual CFDs may vary greatly in geometry and purpose, such as simple planar devices, slow wave structure radio-frequency amplifiers, and sheath regions in nuclear fusion; regardless of form or function, CFDs are characterized by certain regimes of behavior. For magnetic fields below the Hull cutoff, electrons travel curved paths from the cathode, ultimately striking the anode; this reduces the space-charge limited current (SCLC), or the maximum stable flow in the CFD, compared to a non-magnetic diode. Above the Hull cutoff, electrons no longer reach the anode; such a condition is referred to as magnetically insulated.