Performance characteristics of large area electron accelerators

The performance characteristics of “planar” electron accelerators ing hot cathodes, and operating in the 150–500 kilovolt range will be viewed. Self-shielded units utilizing barium dispenser cathodes capable of providing variable pulse width (10⁻³–10⁻⁶ secs) at variable repetition frequency, with peak window current densities to 15 mA/cm² are disc Some of the problems peculiar to the diagnosis of these relatively low energy beams will be reviewed with attention to the limitations of available thin film dosimeters suitable for this energy regime. The use of these techniques for the determination of beam quality differences between beam generated by these systems and comparable cold-cathode units will be discussed. In addition to the plasma physics applications of these energy sc a number of processes of industrial interest involving cw initiation of chemical reactions have been commercialized over the past two years. The energy efficiency offered by these all electric systems as compared w their thermal counterparts has generated increasing interest in these energy sources since the crisis of 1973. Self-shielded units up to 1.4 long and rated at 200 kV continuous operation at 20 kW will be described Some of the problems peculiar to the introduction of this type of energy source into the non-laboratory environment will be treated, with discussion of federal and state regulations affecting their use.