FIELD EMISSION SWITCH TUBE STUDY
Abstract
A study was made of the feasibility of using field emission cathodes in high vacuum switch tubes for radar pulser applications. The work was based on the use of multiple-needle field emission cathodes consisting of sharp tungsten needles evenly spaced along a filament. The electrical characteristics of single and multiple needle field emitters are discussed. The effects of inter-emitter shielding and tip nonuniformity in multiple needle structures are analyzed. A modular concept of switch tube design was adopted, and the development of a successful experimental module was undertaken. Emphasis was directed toward problems which related directly to effective use of field emission cathodes and thus required a novel approach. Tubes based on five successively larger and more sophisticated module designs were constructed and tested. Successive tubes of both types showed steady improvement in peak pulse current, corresponding beam perveance and sharing of the emission between needles. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 22, 1962
- Accession Number
- AD0277172
Entities
People
- E.e. Martin
- F.m. Charbonnier
Organizations
- Rome Laboratory