US3768054A - Low flux leakage magnet construction - Google Patents

Abstract

A magnet construction is disclosed wherein the flux of a first, principal magnet is conserved by placing a second magnet adjacent the first magnet with the magnetic axes of the two magnets perpendicular to each other. The second magnet is constructed of a highly anisotropic material having low permeability perpendicular to its magnetic axis and preferably having a high coercive force and good magnetization retention. Preferably the second magnet surrounds the first magnet to minimize the flux leakage of the first magnet.

Description

Unite States atent 1191 Neugebauer Oct. 23, 1973 [54] LQW FLUX LEAKAGE MAGNET 3,454,913 7/1969 lsraleson et a1 335/306 CONSTRUCTION OTHER PUBLICATIONS Inventor: Wendell Neugebauel" Ballston p W. Hofman, Strayfield Neutralizing, IEEE Transaction on Magnetics, v01. 2, No. 2, pp. 279, 280, June, 1970.

[73] Assignee: General Electric Company,

Owensbom, Primary Examiner-George Harris Att0rneyNathan J. Cornfeld et a1, [22] Filed: Apr. 3, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 240,350 [57] ABSTRACT A magnet construction is disclosed wherein the flux of 52 US. (:1 335/304, 335/306, 310/254, 3 first, Principal magnet is conserved by Placing a 3 2 0nd magnet adjacent the first magnet with the mag- [51] Int. Cl. 1101f 7/02 "@119 axes of the two magnets Perpendicular to each [58] Field of Search... 335/210, 302, 304, other- The second magnet is constructed of a highly [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,205,415 9/1965 Seki et a]. 335/210 3,168,686 2/1965 King et a1. 335/306 anisotropic material having low permeability perpendicular to its magnetic axis and preferably having a high coercive force and good magnetization retention. Preferably the second magnet surrounds the first magnet to minimize the flux leakage of the first magnet.

15 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures W N s 11/ v s 3 s I0 PATENTEU (1U 23 I973 SHEET 1 BF 3 FIG.3.

PATENTEUOCT 2 3 I973 SHEET 2 CF 3 FIG ALNICO 5 l -8 H, Kilo osns rzos SHEET 3 [IF 3 PATENTEDDU 2 3 I975 LOW FLUX LEAKAGE MAGNET CONSTRUCTION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Permanent magnets are normally characterized as materials having magnetic flux producing properties generally along an axis. However, in actual practice, some of the flux is generated in directions skewed from the main axis. This may be regarded as leakage or lost flux since the flux so generated contributes little, if any, to the desired magnetic intensity. The extent of this loss varies with the type of material as well as the geometric design of the magnet. In any event the usual remedy is to increase the total size of the magnet to achieve the desired magnetic intensity. This, however, has the un' desirable effect of adding excessive weight to the magnetic system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an improved magnet construction wherein the leakage flux is minimized.

It is another object of the invention to provide a magnet construction having an improved magnetic intensity per unit weight ratio.

These and other objects of the invention will be apparent from the specification and accompanying drawings.

In accordance with the invention the magnetic flux of a first magnet is conserved by placing a second permanent magnet adjacent the first magnet with the magnetic axis of the second magnet perpendicular to the axis of the first magnet to prevent leakage of flux from the first magnet. The second magnet comprises a highly anisotropic material having a low magnetic permeability in a direction perpendicular to its magnetic axis. Preferably, the second magnet comprises a high coercive force material with good magnetization retention properties.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a bar magnet constructed in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a magnet for a klystron constructed in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 3 isa cross-sectional view of a magnet for a voltage tunable magnetron constructed according to the invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a modified version of the magnet construction of FIG.3.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a loud speaker magnet constructed according to the invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a motor having a rotor magnet constructionin accordance with the invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a motor having a stator magnet construction in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 8 is a graph showing B-H curves for magnetic materials.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION prises a solid rod with the magnetic axis generally along the mechanical axis of the rod.Magnet 2 can be made of any conventional magnet material such as, for example, steel or Alnico.

Magnet 10 is of generally conical configuration with a central bore therein conforming to the diameter ofmagnet 2 so thatmagnet 10 may be slipped overmagnet 2.Magnet 10 is preferably conically shaped or tapered for a reason which will be described below.Magnet 10 can be permanently attached tomagnet 2, for example, by bonding the magnets together with generally magnetically transparent means such as epoxy cement or the like. In accordance with theinvention magnet 10 is constructed of a highly aniostropic material having a low permeability normal to its magnetic axis. Preferably, the material also should exhibit a high coercive force and good magnetic retention properties. The latter property is particularly desirable to prevent demagnetization or alteration of the magnetic properties ofmagnet 10 bymagnet 2. Materials which possess these properties and which have been found to be useful in the practice of this invention include the rare earth-cobalt alloys described and claimed in US. Pat. Nos. 3,655,463 of Apr. 11, 1972; 3,655,464 ofApr. 11, 1972; 3,684,593 of Aug. 15, 1972; and 3,695,945 of Oct. 3, 1972; and all assigned to the assignee of this invention.

The use of the term rare earth-cobalt alloys is intended to include one or more of the rare earth elements alloyed with cobalt. The term rare earth is intended to include the 15 elements of the lanthanide series having atomic numbers 57-71 inclusive. The element yttrium (atomic number 39) is commonly included in this group of metals and is therefore to be considered, in this specification, as also included in the term rare earth".

As shown by the arrows in FIG. l,magnet 10 is in accordance with the invention, radially magnetized so that its direction of magnetization is generally perpendicular to the magnetic axis ofmagnet 2. Any skewing of the flux lines generated bymagnet 2 are thus corrected or prevented from leaking out of the sides ofmagnet 2. This conservation or increase of the available flux inmagnet 2 enables one to reduce the overall size, and thus the weight, ofmagnet 2 to a size commensurate with the desired amount of flux without the previous necessity of additionally compensating for flux losses by leakage of stray flux.

The magnetic material used in accordance with the invention formagnet 10 must have low permeability in a direction normal to the magnetic axis, i.e. parallel to the magnetic axis of themain magnet 2 to prevent shorting the field of the main magnet.

The term low permeability is intended to define a relative permeability of the cladding magnet material in a direction normal to its magnetic axis more like that of vacuum than that of ferromagnetic materials.

The cladding magnet material must also, in accordance with the invention, have a high anisotropy, i.e., the material should be highly magnetizable only along one axis. The degree of anisotropy ofa material can be found by determining the alignment factor which is the residual induction (3,.) of the material divided by the saturation magnetization (4114,). If a theoretically perfect alignment factor was assigned a value of l and an alignment factor representing completely random alignment assigned a value of 0.5, the alignment factor representing highly anisotropic material would have a value of at least 0.80 and preferably 0.95 or higher.

As previously mentioned, the magnetic material used in constructing cladding magnet preferably should have a relatively high coercive force to provide the required magnetic potential necessary for operation of the invention. Coercive force is a material property definedasthe field strength (H,) at which the magnetic induction (B) becomes zero. High coercive force material, then, is defined in this specification as referring to astrongly magnetizable material requiring a coercive force of at least 2 Kilo oersteds, and preferably 4 Kilo oersteds, to reduce the magnetic induction to zero.

Referring to FIG. 8, B-H curves in the second quadrant of the hysteresis loops for various magnetic materials are plotted using the EMU system of units. It will be seen that the slopes of the curves vary, with the cobaltrare earth curves approaching a 45 slope, the theoretically ideal condition. The ratio of the value of H, to the residual induction B, the magnetic induction B corresponding to zero magnetizing force H is an indication of the magnetization retention properties of the mate rial. It can be seen that the value of H for the Alnico materials with respect to B, is much lower than that of the CoPt, ferrite and cobalt-rare earth materials and, in'

fact, such Alnico materials are unsuitable for use as cladding magnets in accordance with the invention.

then, is defined in this specification as referring to a material having a value of H at least 60%of B, (when expressed in theEMU system in Oerstedsand gauss respectively) and preferably 80-90% or higher.

The term good magnetization retention properties,

Referring'now to FIG. 2, a specific application of the teachings of this invention is illustrated. A magnet comprising a single reversal permanent magnet circuit for a linear beam tube is shown.Cylinders 13 andl4 may be constructed of conventional magnetic material and are magnetized axially and placed in opposition as shown.Cylinders 13 and '14 produce the flux that passes throughpole pieces 15 and 16 and the open space l9to be occupied by a linear beam tube such as I a klystron or traveling wave tube. Reversal pole piece 17 carries twice the flux as either of the end pole pieces. J x a I "In accordance with the invention, magnetic cylinders 7l3'and 14 are jacketedby s qmem e tential incylinders 13 and l4-varies linearly with-dis-' tance from 'the respectiveend pole pieces 15 and 16, the variation in thickness of thecladding 20 must be linear along the axis ofmagnets 13 and 14. Stated another way, inasmuch as the magnetic potential increases alongcylinders 13 .and 14, the magnetic counter potential necessary to prevent leakage of flux fromcylinders 13 and 14 must beincreased by increasing the size or thickness ofcladding 20. The magnetic potential ofthe reversing pole 17 is constantand therefore the thickness ofmember 20 is constant in this region. lron shelll8 carries no flux and is merely added to keep external fields frompenetrating into the structure.

The thickness ofmember 20 at any point is dtermined by the magnetic potential on theprincipal magnet 13 or 14 as well as the coercive force of the material used in constructingmember 20. The shape and configuration of the cladding magnet or magnets can thus be determined either empirically or by calculations using the magnetic potential of the principal magnet and the magnetic properties of the cladding magnet material. These parameters can, in turn, be determined by referring to the 8-H curves for the particular materials used.

Thus, whilev i do not wish to be boundby any mathematical theories concerning the magnetic forces, it is believed that the shape ofmember 20 can be calculated by first determining the magnetic potential along themain magnets 13 or 14 by applying computational methods well known to those skilled in the art and then applying the results to the following formula:

' T u H,

where T is the thickness of. the cladding at any given point; U is themagnetic potential (in gilberts in the EMU system of units) at that point onthe surface ofthe main magnet; and H is the coercive force of the cladding material. v 7

Since the addition of the cladding material to the original magnetic circuit alters the flux pattern previously computed, it is essential that the computation be repeated with the cladding in place. The ,newsolution, thus obtained will lead to a slightly different magnetic potential distribution U on the surface of the main magnets. The cladding thickness is then slightly adjusted according to the above formulation. This process is repeated until a solution is obtained that'is self-consistent within the desired degree of accuracy To demonstrate the method of computing the cladding thickness, the circuit of FIG. 2 will be analysed. Still referring to FIG. 2, the flux density B isspecified to be axially directed with a complete reversal of direction in the center of the structure The magnetic field vector H is therefore also axially directed and has a magnitude equal to B in the EMU systemof units in theopen space 19. Since no surface current isflowing" at the boundary between theopen space 19 and the cylinders l3 and 14, the field vectorHis the same. in themate'rialof cylinders 13 and 14 as inthe space l9 by. the law of continuity. ;;The.flumdensityof the material ;of cylinders-l3 and l4'is now establishedgby referring to the appropriate B-H characteristicof the material with v H be'ingknown. Designating B as the rnagriitudeof fluxdensity .inthe materialof the cylinders and,

and B the magnitude of flux density in the open space V l9, the rule that'the divergence of the flux density vani sh implies that: Y I

I A,,,B,,, =.AB

where A, is the transverse area of the material comprisingcylinders l3 and 14 measured in a plane perpendicular to the axis of these cylinders, and A is) the transverse" area of theopen space 19 measured in the same plane. This relation yields the. .value" of A because all the otherfactors are known or specified.

From this value of A the thickness-of the main flux, producing cylinders is determined.

The thickness of the cladding at any point X on; the surface of the main flux producing cylinders is established by first determining the magnetic potential U along the outer surface of thecylinders 13 and 14 and then referring to the appropriate B-H curve of the cladding material to obtain the coercive force H which is the value of H when B is equal to zero. The values of U and H, are applied to formula (1) to determine the thickness of the cladding at the point X. A similar procedure yields an equation for the cladding thickness alongcylinder 14. Since the flux patterns were known beforehand, no repetition of the calculation is necessary in this example, the given solution already being self-consistent.

Although the method of computation outlined above yields a definite value of cladding thickness as a function of geometrical location, a thickness different from the one computed may be used. In particular, changes in the thickness lead to changes in the flux density in the open space to be occupied by a specific device, and thus afford a valuable means of adjusting the flux density for optimum device performance. In general, a lesser thickness of cladding yields a lower flux density and vice versa. The use of cladding thicknesses other than computed may result in some leakage flux which, however, is still far below the leakage flux normally associated with unclad magnetic circuits. It should also be noted here that non-tapered cladding, in some instances, may be used for manufacturing efficiencies.

Referring now to FIG. 3, another magnetic construction, in accordance with the invention, is illustrated in a structural form most useful for crossed-field devices such as magnetrons, voltage-tunable magnetrons (VTMs), and crossed-field amplifiers (CFAs).

In this construction the useful flux is produced bycylindrical bars 34 and 35 magnetized in the same direction. This flux passes through thespace 36 to be occupied by the crossed-field device and completes the circuit throughiron shell 31.

In accordance with the invention,cladding magnets 32 and 33 comprising radally magnetized cylinders sruuoundingprincipal magnets 34 and 35. Again the thickness ofmagnets 32 and 33 is not uniform but is rather directly proportional to the magnetic potential along theflux producing bars 34 and 35 or in theair gap 36. The cladding thickness, therefore, is zero at the very center of air gap .36 because the magnetic potential-is zero there.This proper adjustment of the thickness of thecladding magnet 32 and 33 results in no flux being carried by these magnets.Magnets 32 and 33 are constructed of magnetic materials having the properties previously described with respect to claddingmagnet 10. FIG. 4. illustrates an alternate construction to FIG. 3 and useful in the crossed-field devices previously described. In thisembodiment magnets 34', 35',

37 and 38 are each shaped as frustums of a cone.Magnets 34 and 37 together comprise one main magnet whilemagnets 35' and 38 form the other main magnet.

Cladding magnets 32' and 33 have an outer cylindrical shape but are each provided with a tapered center bore conforming to the frustum shapes of the respective main magnets. An iron shell 31' surrounds the magnet construction to serve as a return path and to shield the magnets from penetration by external fields.

To further illustrate the practice of the invention, a magnet was constructed as shown in FIG. 4. Frustums 34 and 35 were constructed of Alnico 9 material with a base diameter of 1.25 inches, a diameter of 0.875 inch at the smaller end, and 1.013 inches thickness.Magnets 37 and 38 were constructed of Co Sm alloy having a base diameter of 1.390 inches, a diameter at the smaller end of 1.25 inches, and a thickness of 0.375 inch.Magnets 34, 35, 37 and 38 were all magnetized axially with the North poles ofmagnets 35 and 38 facing the South poles ofmagnets 34 and 37 as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 4.

Cladding magnet 32 was constructed of Co Sm alloy segments forming a cylinder having an outer diameter of 1.65 inches and a length or thickness of 1.388 inches. Magnet 32' was magnetized normal to its cylindrical axis.

The segments forming magnet 32' were provided with an internal taper to provide a conical bore to snugly receive frustummain magnets 34 and 37. The segments of magnet 32' were retained tomagnets 34' and 37 using Eastman 910 cement.

Thesegments forming magnet 33 were similarly assembled aboutmain magnets 35 and 38 and the clad magnet assemblies were mounted in iron shell 31' with the small ends ofmagnets 34 and 35 facing one another in coaxial alignment with a spacing therebetween of 0.550 inch.

Measurements of the flux density were made and found to be about 7,400 gauss as compared to a theoretical value of about 8,000 gauss. While the flux densities ofmain magnets 34', 35', 37 and 38 were not actually measured without cladding, standard magnets of this type, size, and gap are normally found to have flux densities below 5,000 gauss.

In FIG. 5 a loudspeaker magnet constructed in accordance with the invention is illustrated. The main flux producing member is a radiallymagnetized disk 45 which is clad with axially magnetized shapeddisks 42, 43, and 44. Thepole pieces 46 and 47 serve to concentrate the flux to a density that is higher than that capable of being produced by the permanent magnetmaterial comprising disk 45. The large, generally circular, block 41 comprises an iron return path for the flux from themain magnet 45.

The cladding or insulatingmagnets 42, 43, and 44 are, in accordance with the invention, constructed of magnetic materials having the properties previously described with respect tomagnet 10. The axial magnetization ofmagnets 42, 43, and 44 produces a magnetic counter potentialperpendicular to that of radially magnetizeddisk 45. The thickness of thecladding magnets 42, 43, and 44 is, again, proportional to the magnetic potential on the surface ofdisk 45. Since this is not linear along the disk, the thickness ofmagnets 42, 43, and 44 is not a linear function but is rather determined by the 8-H characteristics ofdisk 45 and the remainder of the magnetic circuit geometry.

It should also be noted here that in actualpractice voice coil 48 must have some means of external communication and thusmagnet 44 must be either modified or eliminated. This will result in a minor amount of leakage flux. The amount of flux lost, however, with respect to the amount conserved is small and thus the object of the invention to minimize leakage flux is still carried out bymagnets 42 and 43.

In FIG. 6, a motor is generally shown having a permanent magnet type rotor comprising radially magnetizedspokes 52 having alternate directions of magnetization. in accordance with the invention flux leakage is minimized by the insertion of circumferentiallymagnetized sections 54 betweenspokes 52 comprising materials having the magnetic characteristics previously described with respect tomagnet 10. It should be pointed "out again, however, that the principal magnets, in this case spoke 52, can be constructed of any magnetic materials depending upon the flux density desired. The direction of magnetization alternates forsections 54 to 7 provide the desired flux leakage bucking system in accordance with the invention.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 7, the stator may be constructed as a permanent magnet structure comprising radially magnetizedspokes 62 clad in circumferentiallymagnetized sections 64. As discussed in previous embodiments eachsection 64 is not of uniform thickness but is rather tapered to provide a profile of strongest magnetic potential adjacent the end of each spoke 62 facing the rotor. The amount of taper and the thickness is again determined as previously described.

For the correct choice of thickness ofcladding magnets 64 thespace 65 betweenspokes 62 will be a magnetic field free region and may therefore be filled with a highly permeable material. This space may, alternatively, be used by contouring thestator return shell 66 to fill this region.

The cladding magnets used to provide magnetic potential in accordance with the invention to inhibit leakage of flux from the main magnet are dimensioned to provide the correct amount of counter potential in accordance with the potential along the main magnet as well as the coercive force of the particular material used for the cladding magnet. The materials used for the cladding magnets must have the particular magnetic properties previously described with respect tomagnet 10. v

The cladding magnet may be shaped to the desired contour by pressing the magnetic material in particulate form to the desired shape followed by sintering of the shaped magnet. The magnetic alignment of the particles before sintering and the magnetization of the sintered product are carried out as described and claimed in the aforementioned pending patent applications.

The material can also be ground or machined to the desired shape. While this would normally be done before magnetization because of the practical problems experienced when processing magnetized materials, the desired hig'h' anisotropy of the material may make it desirable to magnetize the material before fabrication. When, as in the preferred embodiment, a magnetic material having high magnetization retention properties is used, processing can be done after magnetization with minimal risk of demagnetizing the cladding material.

The resultant cladding magnets are joined to the main magnet using, for example, bonding means such as epoxy cement. Other bonding or mechanical retention means can be used provided they do not interfere with the magnetization of either the mainmagnet or the cladding magnets. In certain circumstances it may be desirable to remagnetize the main magnet in situ, i.e. after being clad when a material havin a low intrinsic coercive force is used for the main magnet. Since, as previously described, the cladding magnet material is preferably characterized by a high magnetization retention, the choice of bonding methods or materials will have little, if any, effect on its magnetization nor will remagnetization of the main magnet effect the cladding magnet. 7

Thus, the invention provides an improved magnet structure wherein the flux of a principal magnet is conserved by cladding the magnet with a second magnet having its magnetic axis perpendicular to the magnetic axis of the first magnet and further characterized as preferably having a high coercive force, with low permeability perpendicular to its magnetic axis, and highly anisotropic. Preferably, the aterial is also characterized as highly resistant to alteration of its magnetic properties. The cladding magnet is preferably contoured as previously described to provide a perpendicular, bucking, magnetic force proportionate to the potential along the principal magnet.

What is claimed is:

l. A permanent magnet construction having a minimum leakage flux comprising a first permanent magnet having a predetermined lineal extent and a magnetic axis therealong and a second permanent magnet forming a cladding completely about said first magnet and coextensive therewith, said second magnet comprising a highly anisotropic material having its magnetic axis substantially perpendicular to the magnetic axis of said first magnet and having low permeability in the direction normal to its magnetic axis to inhibit leakage of magnetic flux from said first magnet.

2. Themagnet construction of claim 1 wherein said second magnet comprises a rare earth-cobalt alloy.

3. The magnet construction of claim 1 wherein said second magnet comprises a material exhibiting good magnetization retention properties.

4. A magnet construction comprising a first magnet having a predetermined lineal extent and a magnetic axis therealong and a second magnet comprising highly anisotropic material having a low permeability normal to its magnetic axis, said second magnet adjoining substantially the entire extent of said first magnet and substantially completely surrounding the magnetic axis of said first magnet, the magnetic axis of said second magnet being substantially perpendicular to the magnetic axis of said first magnet.

5. The magnet construction ofclaim 4 wherein the magnetic potential of the second magnet is not uniform along the magnetic axis of the first magnet.

6. The magnet construction ofclaim 5 wherein the magnetic potential of the second magnetic is strongest adjacent at least one end of the magnetic axis of the first magnet. v

7. The magnet construction ofclaim 5 wherein the thickness of the second magnet perpendicular to the magnetic axis of the first magnet is tapered to provide a non-uniform magnetic potential along the magnetic axis of the first magnet.

8. The magnet construction ofclaim 5 wherein said second magnet comprises a rare earth-cobalt alloy.

9. The magnet construction ofclaim 4 wherein said first magnet comprises a plurality of magnets aligned along a common magnetic axis.

10. The magnet construction ofclaim 4 wherein said second magnet comprises a plurality of magnets, each having its magnetic axis normal to the magnetic axis of said first magnet.

11. The magnet construction ofclaim 4 wherein said first magnet comprises a pair of coaxially aligned hollow cylinders disposed in mutually axially spaced relation, and said second magnet is in the form of a double cone having a wide-thickness portion surrounding the adjacent ends of said cylinders, said wide-thickness portion being of substantially uniform thickness over an axial extent thereof corresponding to the spacing of said cylinders.

12. The magnet construction of claim 11 wherein said cylinders of said first magnet are magnetized in opposite directions and said construction further comprises a pair of radially extending reversal pole pieces disposed within the space between said cylinders.

13. The magnet construction ofclaim 12 wherein the cylinders are adapted to surround a linear-beam electron discharge device.

14. The magnet construction ofclaim 4 wherein said first magnet comprises a pair of spaced aligned solid bars of uniform diameter and having a common direcpied by a crossed-field electron discharge device.

Claims (15)

1. A permanent magnet construction having a minimum leakage flux comprising a first permanent magnet having a predetermined lineal extent and a magnetic axis therealong and a second permanent magnet forming a cladding completely about said first magnet and coextensive therewith, said second magnet comprising a highly anisotropic material having its magnetic axis substantially perpendicular to the magnetic axis of said first magnet and having low permeability in the direction normal to its magnetic axis to inhibit leakage of magnetic flux from said first magnet.

2. The magnet construction of claim 1 wherein said second magnet comprises a rare earth-cobalt alloy.

3. The magnet construction of claim 1 wherein said second magnet comprises a material exhibiting good magnetization retention properties.

4. A magnet construction comprising a first magnet having a predetermined lineal extent and a magnetic axis therealong and a second magnet comprising highly anisotropic material having a low permeability normal to its magnetic axis, said second magnet adjoining substantially the entire extent of said first magnet and substantially completely surrounding the magnetic axis of said first magnet, the magnetic axis of said second magnet being substantially perpendicular to the magnetic axis of said first magnet.

5. The magnet construction of claim 4 wherein the magnetic potential of the second magnet is not uniform along the magnetic axis of the first magnet.

6. The magnet construction of claim 5 wherein the magnetic potential of the second magnetic is strongest adjacent at least one end of the magnetic axis of the first magnet.

7. The magnet construction of claim 5 wherein the thickness of the second magnet perpendicular to the magnetic axis of the first magnet is tapered to provide a non-uniform magnetic potential along the magnetic axis of the first magnet.

8. The magnet construction of claim 5 wherein said second magnet comprises a rare earth-cobalt alloy.

9. The magnet construction of claim 4 wherein said first magnet comprises a plurality of magnets aligned along a common magnetic axis.

10. The magnet construction of claim 4 wherein said Second magnet comprises a plurality of magnets, each having its magnetic axis normal to the magnetic axis of said first magnet.

11. The magnet construction of claim 4 wherein said first magnet comprises a pair of coaxially aligned hollow cylinders disposed in mutually axially spaced relation, and said second magnet is in the form of a double cone having a wide-thickness portion surrounding the adjacent ends of said cylinders, said wide-thickness portion being of substantially uniform thickness over an axial extent thereof corresponding to the spacing of said cylinders.

12. The magnet construction of claim 11 wherein said cylinders of said first magnet are magnetized in opposite directions and said construction further comprises a radially extending reversal pole piece disposed within the space between said cylinders.

13. The magnet construction of claim 12 wherein the cylinders are adapted to surround a linear-beam electron discharge device.

14. The magnet construction of claim 4 wherein said first magnet comprises a pair of spaced aligned solid bars of uniform diameter and having a common direction of magnetization, and said second magnet comprises a pair of cylinders having a common axis and uniform internal diameters conforming with the diameters of said bars, the magnetic axes of said cylinders being in mutually opposed directions and normal to the magnetic axis of said bars, and a magnetic shell encasing said first and said second magnets to form a complete magnetic circuit.

15. The magnet construction of claim 14 wherein the space between said bar magnets is adapted to be occupied by a crossed-field electron discharge device.

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