Formation of emission plasma by a constricted arc discharge in a pulsed forevacuum plasma-cathode electron source

Abstract

The research of generation of emission plasma by a constricted arc discharge in the discharge system of a pulsed forevacuum plasma-cathode electron source is presented. Formation of emission plasma by the constricted arc discharge in the forevacuum electron source has provided elimination of penetration of the cathode material into the hollow anode, i.e. into region of emission plasma formation. As compared to plasma-cathode electron sources generating electron beams in pressure range 10−3–10−1 Pa, for the forevacuum plasma-cathode source higher operation pressure in the hollow anode (7–21 Pa) has caused strong dependence of emission plasma density on gas pressure. In particular, an increase of the gas pressure has led to a decrease of the plasma density at distance from the constricting channel.