Explosive Emission and Gap Closure from a Relativistic Electron Beam Diode

Abstract

Explosive emission cathode studies are currently being conducted on a high power relativistic electron beam diode. A black velvet cathode is driven with a 75 Ohm graded transmission line, which provides a 3.8 MV, 80 ns (FWHM) pulse across a fixed A-K gap of 17.8 cm. Cathode sizes range from 1.9 7 cm with space-charge limited currents of 0.26 3 kA. The principal objective of these experiments is to quantify the current emission limits and the dynamics of the gap closure process. A qualitative comparison of experimental and calculated results are presented, which included the I-V relationship, impedance and perveance curves, plasma expansion velocity, and the time-resolved light emission on the surface of the cathode.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 2013
Accession Number
ADA605863

Entities

People

  • B. T. Mccuistian
  • C. A. Ekdahl
  • D. C. Moir
  • J. B. Johnson
  • J. E. Coleman
  • M. T. Crewford

Organizations

  • Los Alamos National Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics
  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Charged Particles
  • Electron Beams
  • Electrons
  • Emission
  • Explosives
  • High Power Microwaves
  • Impedance
  • Materials
  • Measurement
  • Particle Accelerators
  • Physics
  • Pulsed Power
  • Simulations
  • Space Charge
  • Transmission Lines
  • United States
  • X Rays

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Pulsed Power and Plasma Physics.

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy
  • Directed Energy - Lasers
  • Microelectronics
  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster