Reengineering of the URT -0.5 accelerator

Tests of the URT -0.5 electron accelerator, which were performed to elucidate the outlooks for and the expediency of its use in radiation technologies, revealed some drawbacks of the accelerator design. The accelerator was reengineered to eliminate these drawbacks. To improve the operating duty of the pulse transformer insulation, an additional inductance was installed in the circuit. Consequently, the transformer was protected from the pulsed overvoltage arising upon triggering of the semiconductor opening switch. Thermal conditions of the outlet window foil of the vacuum diode were considerably improved thanks to the use of a metal ceramic cathode, which provided the distribution of the anode current free of local inhomogeneities. As a result, the lifetime of the outlet foil was extended. A metal screen was placed around on the metal ceramic cathode to decrease the size of the electron beam.