Bi-directional dispenser cathode

A particle accelerator, comprising:

• a body defining an interior volume;
• a dispenser cathode disposed within a passageway having a plurality of electron emitters;
• and
• a target effective to generate at least one product when impacted by accelerated particles.

A method for the operation of a Betatron, comprising the steps of:

• providing a Betatron having a passageway disposed in a cyclical magnetic field, with a dispenser cathode having a first electron emitter and a second electron emitter of a plurality of electron emitters disposed within said passageway, an electrically distinct biasing grid in spaced relationship to an outward facing surface of each of said first and said section electron emitters, and a target effective to generate x-rays when impacted by accelerated electrons;
• heating said first and said second electron emitters to a temperature effective to cause an emission of electrons;
• and
• intermittently applying a positive voltage relative to said cathode body to said electrically distinct biasing grids thereby accelerating emitted electrons.

A method for the operation of a particle accelerator, comprising the steps of:

• providing a particle accelerator body having an interior volume a dispenser cathode having a first and a second electron emitter disposed within said interior volume, an electrically distinct biasing grid in spaced relationship to an outward facing surface of each of said first and said second electron emitter, and a target effective to generate at least one product when impacted by accelerated particles;
• heating said first and said second electron emitters to a temperature effective to cause an emission of electrons;
• and
• intermittently applying a positive voltage to said electrically distinct biasing grids relative to said cathode body thereby accelerating emitted electrons towards said target.