Method of improving cathode surface

The method of operated processing of cathode surface in vacuum has been offered. The control has been realized in steady-state conditions by electric intensity amplification factor beta at cathode micro heterogeneities. High-voltage pulses of nanosecond range at amplitudes providing the breakdown delay time equal to the duration of appurtenant pulse t_d = t_p have been used as an effect. The method permits to up-grade appreciably the cathode surface with low pulse number. As a result of influence of five pulses with t_p = 10 ns at amplitudes providing the equality of t_d = t_p upon stainless steel electrodes with area of S ap 1 cm² the amplification factor has been reduced more than in five times from beta = 136 to beta = 26.