Generation of electron beams with adjustable durations of 1.0–0.2 ns and current amplitudes more than 400 A

Abstract

The conditions for forming subnanosecond electron beams with adjustable pulse durations in the vacuum-diode mode using a SLEP-150 generator were investigated. It was confirmed that the residual air pressure in the diode (∼0.1 Torr or less) does not affect the amplitude and duration of the beam current when using a nanosecond voltage pulse. It was shown that increasing the air pressure in the diode from 0.1 to 6.0 Torr leads to a decrease in the full width at half-maximum (FWHM) duration of the electron-beam current from ∼1.00 to 0.18 ns and a shorter delay of the beam generation moment relative to the voltage-pulse rise time. It was established that the amplitude of the first peak of the beam current behind the foil remained constant under these conditions. Its value was ≥400 A. It is shown that when the interelectrode gaps are optimal for vacuum diodes, the pulse duration at elevated pressures shortens due to the gap breakdown for a time of ≤200 ps.