Inverse diode computations

Bremsstrahlung and ion diodes have been modeled successfully by 2 1/2 dimensional stationary particle codes. Here the authors apply such a code to an inverse diode, which has very favorable properties for moderate energy bremsstrahlung production. Besides electron-ion flow patterns and the diode impedance one needs detailed information on quantities important to bremsstrahlung generation, i.e. the current and power density at impact, and the electron angle of incidence. These data can then be processed in a combined radiation-electron transport code (e.g. ITS/TIGER), to get the photon spectrum. The authors attempt to evaluate numerically various schemes for enhancing radiation production. Among these are the addition of screens on the cathode to avoid excessive backwards current leakage, and a reflexing anode. This anode consists of a thin foil (which enhances the production of moderately energetic photons) backed by a real or virtual cathode, or by the magnetic field from the cathode shank