A new approach for evaluating the current and charge density distributions in electron guns and beams

Abstract

Current and space-charge density distribution calculation is of great significance for numerical analysis and design of high-current electron guns and beams. When the electrons’ thermal initial velocities are taken into account, though there have been some numerical methods published, the calculation is very complicated. By introducing equivalent meridional potential and projection trajectory theory, the curvilinear axis trajectory equation for electrons neighboring to a central curved trajectory in rotationally symmetric electro-magnetic fields is derived in first- and second-order approximations. The evolution equation of the current density distribution of toroidal electron sub-beams is derived and it can be used to calculate the current and charge density distribution in electron beams and guns in iteration calculation. A compact numerical algorithm for calculating round high-current electron guns and beams was developed and related program was written as well. As examples, the evolution of the current density distribution of a Pierce gun and a periodic magnetic focusing high-current electron beam is simulated. This proves that this method is effective and practical.