Current neutralization of nanosecond risetime, high-current electron beams

Author

Lidestri, J.P. ; Spence, P.W. ; Bailey, V.L. ; Putnam, S.D. ; Fockler, J. ; Eichenberger, C. ; Champney, P. D´A

Author_Institution

Pulse Sci. Inc., San Leandro, CA, USA

Volume

19

Issue

5

fYear

1991

fDate

10/1/1991 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

855

Lastpage

859

Abstract

Methods of achieving current neutralization in fast-risetime (<3 ns) electron beams propagating in low-pressure gas are described. For this investigation, a 3-MV, 30-kA intense beam was injected into a drift cell containing gas pressures form 0.10 to 20 torr. By using a fast net current monitor (100-ps risetime), it was possible to observe beam front gas breakdown phenomena and to optimize the drift cell gas pressure to achieve maximum current neutralization. Experimental observations have shown that by increasing the drift gas pressure (P ≈12.5 torr) to decrease the mean time between secondary electron gas collisions, the beam can propagate with 90% current neutralization for the full beam pulsewidth (16 ns)

Keywords

electric breakdown of gases; electron beams; ion recombination; 0.10 to 20 torr; 100 ps; 16 ns; 3 MV; 30 kA; beam front; current neutralization; drift cell; fast net current monitor; low-pressure gas; nanosecond risetime high current risetime electron beams; pulsewidth; secondary electron gas collisions; Acceleration; Conductivity; Current measurement; Diodes; Electron beams; Ionization; Monitoring; Particle beams; Plasmas; Position measurement;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Plasma Science, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0093-3813

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/27.108424

Filename

108424