Method for controlling low-energy high current density electron beams
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
InventorsJohn N. Lee, Robert B. Oswald, Jr.
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Abstract
A method and an apparatus for controlling the angle of incidence of low-egy, high current density electron beams are disclosed. The apparatus includes a current generating diode arrangement with a mesh anode for producing a drifting electron beam. An auxiliary grounded screen electrode is placed between the anode and a target for controlling the average angle of incidence of electrons in the drifting electron beam. According to the method of the present invention, movement of the auxiliary screen electrode relative to the target and the anode permits reliable and reproducible adjustment of the average angle of incidence of the electrons in low energy, high current density relativistic electron beams.
Claims6
A method of controlling the angle of incidence of electrons in low energy, high current density, pulsed relativistic electron beams comprising the steps of:
- producing a freely drifting electron beam;
- placing a grounded mesh electrode in the path of said beam;
- said step of producing further includes the steps of accelerating an electron beam from a cathode electrode to an anode electrode through a significant potential difference;
- and,
- said step of placing includes the step of positioning said grounded mesh electrode between said anode and a target at a point where internal forces within the drifting beam have become apparent.
An apparatus for controlling the angle of incidence of electrons in low energy, high current density, pulsed relativistic electron beams comprising:
- diode means for producing a drifting electron beam;
- auxiliary electrode means coupled to said diode means and positioned within the path of said drifting electron beam at a point where internal forces within the drifting beam have become apparent;
- said diode means includes a cathode electrode and an anode electrode, said anode electrode comprising a grounded mesh electrode for transmitting a beam of electrons from said cathode;
- and
- said auxiliarly mesh electrode is grounded and is positioned near said mesh anode on the opposite side thereof relative to said cathode.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.