Improved Electron Emission by Use of a Cloth Fiber Cathode.

Abstract

Intense electron beams are usually produced by applying a strong electric field (> 400 kV/cm) to the surface of a suitable material. In a number of applications of intense, pulsed beams, such as Free Electron Lasers, microwave generation and collective ion acceleration, good uniformity is desirable. In addition, there are many applications such as laser pumping and microwave generation where it is useful to produce pulsed electron beams at relatively low potentials (20-50 kV) and high currents (.2-10 kA). This document presents data which demonstrates that cloth fiber cathodes can have superior properties as cold cathode emitters. The specific material used is a 12/cm x 12/cm array of tufts, each composed of approximately 40, 75% rayon, 25% silk, 10-20 micron diameter, 1 mm long fibers. Each fiber is oriented approximately perpendicular to the cloth substrate. The substrate is, in turn, attached to a stainless steel base using a thin layer of epoxy. This material is easily obtained at any cloth store at a nominal cost.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 01, 1984
Accession Number
ADA149250

Entities

People

  • B. E. Simpkins
  • D. E. Voss
  • D. J. Sullivan
  • G. F. Kiuttu
  • R. J. Adler

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Air Force Facilities
  • Carbon Fibers
  • Current Density
  • Electron Beams
  • Electron Emission
  • Electrons
  • Emission
  • Fibers
  • Free Electron Lasers
  • Free Electrons
  • Low Voltage
  • Materials
  • Microwaves
  • New Mexico
  • Photoexcitation
  • Scientific Research

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Pulsed Power and Plasma Physics.
  • Reinforced Composite Materials

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy
  • Directed Energy - Pulsed-Laser Deposition
  • Microelectronics