Development of a Durable, Large Area Cathode for Repetitive, Uniform Electron Beam Generation

Abstract

Electra is a large-aperture, krypton-fluoride laser under development for inertial fusion energy research. The laser will require dual 500 kV, 36 A/sq cm, uniform electron beams operating at 5 Hz. Experimental studies have been performed to develop an approx. 3000 sq cm cathode capable of generating a 110 kA, 100 ns flat top beam pulse with minimal current density variation (<10%), fast rise time (<40 ns), negligible gap closure (<1 cm/microsecond), and long lifetime (ultimately 10(exp 8) shots). Time resolved electrical and optical data from the study of various dielectric fiber, carbon, and metal/dielectric cathodes will be discussed.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2002
Accession Number
ADA480618

Entities

People

  • Frank Hegeler
  • John D. Sethian
  • Matthew C. Myers
  • Moshe Friedman

Organizations

  • United States Naval Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Carbon Fibers
  • Current Density
  • Demographic Cohorts
  • Electron Beams
  • Electrons
  • Emission
  • Krypton Fluoride Lasers
  • Laser Gases
  • Lasers
  • Magnetic Fields
  • Materials
  • Measurement
  • Metals
  • Particle Beams
  • Pulsed Power
  • Radiation
  • Radiation Shielding

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Pulsed Power and Plasma Physics.

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy
  • Directed Energy - Lasers
  • Microelectronics