Calibration of detectors of ionizing emissions by means of a subnanosecond runaway electron beam generated by discharge in open atmosphere at high overvoltages

Abstract

The electric discharge in air at atmospheric pressure under the conditions of multiple overvoltages generates an electron beam of subnanosecond duration. By means of measurements of the resolution time of registration lines including different detectors of ionizing emissions, efficiency is demonstrated of the beam application for calibration of the detectors with the subnanosecond resolution. The basic advantages of such a way of calibration is the absence of the evacuated accelerating tube, small dimensions of the source, and the big resource.