The multiarc plasma cathode electron source

Abstract

The electron source with the plasma cathode on the basis of the discharge system with the six arc plasma generators working on the common cylindrical hollow anode with a diameter of 200 mm and 300 mm long was constructed. For synchronous operation of the plasma generators the hollow anode is filled with dense low-temperature plasma. The plasma emissive boundary with a diameter of 150 mm is stabilized by a small-structure metal grid. The arc current of each plasma generator is (100-300) A with a pulse duration 150 us. The electron extraction from plasma and acceleration of them is carried out under the action of direct voltage (20-50) kV, applied between the plasma cathode and grounded drift tunnel with inner diameter of 160 mm and 700 mm long. In pilot experiments the electron beam with a common current up to 1000 A and pulse duration 150 us was obtained. The beam with such parameters will be used in research works and technological applications.