Short Pulse Electron Beam Guns for Pulsed Laser Applications

Pulsed electron beam guns have been used extensively in high energy, pulsed laser systems. The two applications include direct electron beam pumping of the gain volume and the stabilization of electrical discharge lasers. Electron beam dimensions range from hundreds to thousands of square centimeters. Voltages range from a few hundred kilovolts to a megavolt or more and current densities can range from less than A/cm2 to a few hundred A/cm2. Pulse lengths range from tens of nanoseconds to greater than a microsecond. The electron gun diode and pulsed power driver have to be designed for the specific application.