High Power Switching and Other High Power Devices
Abstract
High power thyratrons and devices such as high power microwave sources have cathode-related performance limits. The report describes research of a simple, robust 'super-emissive' cathode that produces > 1 0,000 A/cm2 from a macroscopic area (approx. 1 cm2), and operates with a low pressure (approx. 0. 1 torr), spatially-uniform glow plasma (density >1015 cm-3). The cathode also can operate as a hollow cathode, and is at the heart of the operation of the pseudospark and back-lighted thyratron. The physics of this hollow and super- emissive cathode is very rich. The hollow cathode geometry traps electrons in the hollow cathode backspace. The lifetime of these electrons enables them to ionize a spatially homogeneous high density glow, and this hollow cathode mode of operation is responsible for certain types of electron and ion beam behavior. A plasma cathode sheath that is formed during this phase leads to super-emissive behavior, which is responsible for high current emission. Super- emissive cathode thyratron-type switches (with higher peak current, voltage, di/dt) being developed for pulsed power switching of lasers, accelerators, high current and high coulomb transfer, Marx bank operation, transfer of technology to commercial applications, high current electron beams, and millimeter wave generation (1-100 GHz) are described.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 30, 1992
- Accession Number
- ADA256974
Entities
People
- Martin A. Gundersen
Organizations
- University of Southern California