High-voltage diode experiments on mercury

Summary form only given. This work presents the challenges of harnessing the positive-polarity MITL vacuum flow and obtaining efficient ion production at these relatively high impedances. In addition to complicating generator-load coupling, the positive-polarity flow renders equilibrium MITL theory useless in determining the diode voltage. We anticipate the need for transporting the ion beam 1-3 meters in order to separate the desired neutron/gamma output from the bremsstrahlung background. Transport options include vacuum and Z-discharge transport. A Z-discharge transport system with parameters close to those needed here has been demonstrated.