METHOD OF GENERATING BEAMS OF FAST ELECTRONS IN GAS-FILLED SPACE AND DEVICE THEREFOR (VERSIONS) Russian patent published in 2016 - IPC H05H15/00 

FIELD: electronics.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to high-current electronics. Method of generating high-density beams of fast electrons in a gas-filled diode includes generation of escaping electrons in a region with low concentration of gas produced by a spark or laser radiation and subsequent acceleration of gas under normal conditions of pulsed electric field and output generated by electron beam accelerator through anode gap. In order to reduce divergence, increase density and beam current values around region with a reduced concentration of gas molecules, electrical potential is generated, which prevents exit of electrons from said region. This provides longer electron path in rarefied zone with low gas concentration, and hence more electrons captured in continuous acceleration mode, which gain more energy, while leaving area experiencing minimal scattering. Device for implementing method is a gas-filled diode, cathode potential is supplied from main high-voltage generator, and a electron beam is output through grounded anode. Cathode is surrounded by a dielectric tube with a height h above surface of cathode, where 0<h<A, where A is distance between edge of tube and anode, whereby a spark discharge occurs. At edge of dielectric tube facing anode there is an additional electrode which, together with cathode, forms an additional interelectrode gap, which is connected to an additional high-voltage pulse generator to heat gas in dielectric tube by forming a spark channel therein. Under influence of additional voltage pulse of high-voltage generator between cathode and auxiliary electrode a spark occurs, which heats gas in insulating tube, pressure therein rises and part of gas leaves space of dielectric tube. After equalising pressure inside and outside dielectric tube, recovery of dielectric strength, but no later than temperature relaxation time, a voltage pulse is transmitted to cathode-anode interval from main pulse generator. Emitted electrons from cathode fall in rarefied zone and gain more energy than they lose between collisions. Some of electrons are deposited on walls of dielectric tube, creating an electrical potential, which prevents further deposition thereof. Divergence and exit of fast electron beams of from rarefied (hot) zone of dielectric tube is limited by negative potential. Since length of dielectric tube is adjustable, path of electrons in rarefied area can be greater, number of electrons trapped in continuous acceleration increases and divergence decreases.

EFFECT: technical result is increase in density and beam current value of fast electrons.

3 cl, 2 dwg