Development and Experimental Operation of a Flashboard Plasma Cathode Test Stand
Abstract
Flashboard Plasma Cathodes (FBPCs) are potential rugged electron sources for generating high-current beams needed for future High Power Microwave Weapons. In FBPCs, dielectric material is in contact with electrodes in a vacuum. Plasma is generated by a surface flashover discharge on the surface of the dielectric between the electrodes and an electron beam is extracted from the plasma by applying an electric field between the anode and cathode. While FBPCs have been successfully used in a number of applications, the widespread adoption of this technology has been limited by concerns over beam quality. The goals of this thesis are to design a test stand in order to measure FBPC properties that affect beam quality and to enable experiments that will provide a better understanding of the effects of different parameters such as flashboard design, pulser type, and plasma properties on the quality of electron beams extracted from the plasma.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2012
- Accession Number
- ADA563745
Entities
People
- Ali I. Yilmaz
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School