Pulsed generator of electrically charged particles and method for using a pulsed generator of electrically charged particles

A pulsed generator of electrically charged particles comprising:

• a vacuum chamber, and
• a pulsed light source that is a laser source configured to produce light pulses with a repetition rate greater than 80 MHz;
• wherein:
• the vacuum chamber is configured to maintain an internal operating pressure comprised between 10−6 mbar and atmospheric pressure;
• the vacuum chamber is configured to accommodate a photocathode and an anode, the photocathode and the anode being separated by an adjustable distance less than or equal to 30 mm;
• the vacuum chamber comprises an optical window enabling pulsed light to reach firstly a rear face of the photocathode;
• the anode is arranged downstream of the photocathode and has an orifice suitable for the passage of electrically charged particles;
• said pulsed generator of electrically charged particles comprises a device configured to apply a difference in potential between the photocathode and the anode, said difference in potential being configured to accelerate the charged particles.