Studies of high-voltage breakdown suppression resulting from e-beam modification of copper surfaces

Experimental studies of voltage breakdown suppression via electron beam surface melting of copper pieces have been performed at FM Technologies, Inc. The effects of different finishes and chemical etches were investigated. Both flat pieces and mock-ups of X-band cavity structures were tested. Observation of the treated surfaces indicate smoothing of both large (hundreds of microns) and small (micron) scale imperfections. Degassing effects are also evident. Results of visual observations and DC high-voltage breakdown measurements are presented