Device for generating an on-off modulation electron beam
AssigneeProel Technologie S.p.A.
InventorGianfranco Cirri
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Abstract
An electron gun and a high tension switch permits the achievement of high-power electron beams which are ON-OFF modulated by DC up to frequencies exceeding kHz. The electron gun has a cathode, at least two accelerating electrodes, a cathode heater, and a possible focussing system. The or each accelerating voltage, generated by any source, which may in the case of space applications also be a tether, is applied between accelerating electrodes and cathode, with the exception of an appropriate accelerating electrode to which there is applied, by of the switch, alternately its accelerating voltage or the same voltage as that of the cathode, obtaining an ON-OFF modulation of the electron beam emitted by the gun.
Claims7
An electron gun comprising:
- a cathode;
- a first electrode spaced from said cathode;
- a second electrode positioned between said cathode and said first electrode;
- switching means for generating an electron beam by connecting said first electrode to said second electrode and keeping said second electrode at a potential of said first electrode in a first position, said switching means having a second position for interrupting said electron beam by connecting said second electrode to said cathode and keeping said second electrode at a potential of said cathode, said switching means switching said electron beam between an on state and an off state by switching said second electrode between said potential of said first electrode and said cathode.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.