Self aligning electron beam gun having enhanced thermal and mechanical stability

Patent · Tue May 16 04:00:00 EDT 1995

OSTI ID:55819

Scarpetti, Jr, R D; Parkison, C D; Switzer, V A; Lee, Y J; Sawyer, W C

A compact, high power electron gun is disclosed having enhanced thermal and mechanical stability which incorporates a mechanically coupled, self aligning structure for the anode and cathode. The enhanced stability, and reduced need for realignment of the cathode to the anode and downstream optics during operation are achieved by use of a common support structure for the cathode and anode which requires no adjustment screws or spacers. The electron gun of the present invention also incorporates a modular design for the cathode, in which the electron emitter, its support structure, and the hardware required to attach the emitter assembly to the rest of the gun are a single element. This modular design makes replacement of the emitter simpler and requires no realignment after a new emitter has been installed. Compactness and a reduction in the possibility of high voltage breakdown are achieved by shielding the ``triple point`` where the electrode, insulator, and vacuum meet. The use of electric discharge machining (EDM) for fabricating the emitter allows for the accurate machining of the emitter into intricate shapes without encountering the normal stresses developed by standard emitter fabrication techniques. 12 Figs.

• Research Organization: University of California
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• Assignee: Dept. of Energy, Washington, DC (United States)
• Patent Number(s): US 5,416,381/A/
• Application Number: PAN: 8-101,161
• OSTI ID: 55819
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
ALIGNMENT
DESIGN
ELECTRON GUNS
FASTENERS
MAINTENANCE
MODULAR STRUCTURES
SUPPORTS