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Performance of the Antares large area cold cathode electron gun

Conference ·
OSTI ID:6256404

The performance of the electron gun which supplies ionization for the Antares high-power electron-beam-sustained CO/sub 2/-laser power amplifier is described. This electron gun is a coaxial cylindrical cold cathode vacuum triode having a total electron aperture area of approximately 9 m/sup 2/. Electrons are extracted from the gun in pulses of 3 to 6 ..mu..s duration, average current densities of 40 to 60 mA/cm/sup 2/, and electron energies of 450 to 500 keV. The main areas of discussion in this paper are the performance in terms of grid control, current-density balance, and current runaway due to breakdown limitations. Comparison of the experimental results with the predictions of a theoretical model for the electron gun are also presented.

Research Organization:
Los Alamos National Lab., NM (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-36
OSTI ID:
6256404
Report Number(s):
LA-UR-83-1543; CONF-830621-7; ON: DE83012775
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English