A Reflex Tetrode for Producing an Efficient Unidirectional Ion Beam.

Abstract

A reflex tetrode device for efficiently generating intense, pulsed unidirectional ion beams. The device includes two thin, semitransparent anodes spaced from a real cathode which is maintained at ground potential. The first anode is spaced from and faces the real cathode. The second anode is spaced a short distance from the first anode and a virtual cathode is formed beyond the second anode when a sufficiently high electron current flows from the real cathode and through the anodes. The anodes are ring-like or disc-like structures secured to the edges of a support member with their planes perpendicular to the axis of the device between the real and virtual cathodes. The anode structure (i.e., the support member together with the two anodes) is connected to a pulsed high-voltage generator which is operated in positive polarity. Consequently, both anodes are at the same positive potential. The first anode, because of its material, does not readily form an ionic plasma when electrons pass through it, but the second anode does. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 23, 1978
Accession Number
ADD005333

Entities

People

  • Christos Kapetanakos
  • Jeffry Golden
  • John Pasour
  • Redge Mahaffey

Organizations

  • United States Department of the Navy

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Charged Particles
  • Electrons
  • Generators
  • High Voltage
  • Ion Beams
  • Ions
  • Materials
  • Polarity
  • Unidirectional
  • Voltage

Readers

  • Electrical Engineering
  • Electrochemical Engineering/ Fuel Cell Technologies
  • Plasma Physics / Magnetohydrodynamics

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics
  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster