Overcoming the Child-Langmuir law via the magnetic mirror effect

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that the Child-Langmuir law's maximum current limit in vacuum tubes can be surpassed by employing a magnetic mirror effect, which mitigates space-charge effects in a varying magnetic field.

Contribution

It introduces a novel method to exceed the classical current limit using magnetic mirror effects, expanding the operational capabilities of vacuum tubes.

Findings

Current can exceed Child-Langmuir limit by up to a few factors.

Magnetic mirror effect effectively mitigates space-charge effects.

Practical regimes for implementation are analyzed.

Abstract

The maximum current in a vacuum tube prescribed by the classical Child-Langmuir law can be overcome, when the space-charge effect of the induced potential is mitigated by the mirror effect in a spatially varying magnetic field. The current could exceed the Child-Langmuir value by as much as a few factors. The regime of practical interest is examined.