Electron beam generation in a diode with a gaseous plasma electron source I: Plasma source based on a hollow anode ignited by a multi-arc system

We report on the operation of an electron diode with a cathode based on a hollow plasma anode (HPA) design. Six arc sources placed inside the anode cavity were used to produce a preliminary plasma. The latter was used to produce a high-current (up to 4 kA) gaseous discharge without formation of plasma spots at the anode wall and output grid. The plasma parameters inside the HPA were measured for different N-2 and Xe gas pressures and discharge current amplitudes. It was found that the HPA operation is characterized by a negative anode potential fall and that the plasma density and temperature inside the anode are approximate to6x10(12) cm(-3) and approximate to9 eV, respectively. The characteristics of an electron diode and the generated electron beam were studied under an accelerating voltage amplitude less than or equal to250 kV and 400 ns pulse duration for different parameters of the HPA. It was found that in the beginning of the accelerating pulse the diode operates in a plasma prefilled mode while later the diode current is determined by the emission capability of the HPA plasma. It was shown that this source allows generation of an electron beam with a cross-sectional area of 100 cm(2) and a current amplitude up to 1.2 kA, without the formation of explosive plasma at the surface of the HPA output grid. (C) 2003 American Institute of Physics.