EP0101043A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Plasma cathode electron beam generating system
Assignee: Helionetics Inc
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Filing: 1983-08-08
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2003-08-08
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for generating an electron beam using a new and improved plasma cathode system, the electron beam being suitable for use, by way of example, in large area pulsed x-ray devices of the type used for preionization of the discharge volume in certain lasers. The plasma cathode includes an electrically conductive member 12, 17 surrounded by an insulating sleeve 11 with an outer electrically conductive member 13, the first-mentioned member 12, 17 and a remote anode 16 being at ground potential, while the outer member 13 is maintained at a high negative potential relative to the first-mentioned member 12, 17 and the anode 16.
Inventors
- 👤 Jeffrey I. Levatter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 18:11
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J3/00; H01J3/02; H01J3/021; H01J35/00; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/09; H01S3/097; H01S3/0977; H01S3/09775
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
77 words
A plasma cathode electron beam generating system, comprising: an anode; a first electrically conductive member at least partially surrounded by a dielectric member; a second electrically conductive member positioned on the surface of said dielectric member and insulated from said first electrically conductive member; and means for maintaining said first electrically conductive member and said anode at one potential while maintaining said second electrically conductive member at a high negative potential with respect to said one potential.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
77 words
A plasma cathode electron beam generating system, comprising: an anode; a first electrically conductive member at least partially surrounded by a dielectric member; a second electrically conductive member positioned on the surface of said dielectric member and insulated from said first electrically conductive member; and means for maintaining said first electrically conductive member and said anode at one potential while maintaining said second electrically conductive member at a high negative potential with respect to said one potential.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
An electron beam generating system, as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said first electrically conductive member is a solid core electrode.,
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
An electron beam generating system, as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said first electrically conductive member is an electrically conductive coating on a surface of said dielectric member opposite that confronting said anode.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
An electron beam generating system, as claimed in Claims 1-3, wherein said second electrically conductive member is a wire disposed on a surface of said dielectric member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
An electron beam generating system, as set forth in Claims 1-3, wherein said second electrically conductive member is an open wire array.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
An electron beam generating system,as set forth in Claims 1-3, wherein said anode has a planar surface confronting said second electrically conductive member and said dielectric member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
An electron beam generating system, as set forth in Claims 1-3, wherein said anode provides a target for generating x-rays when bombarded by high energy electrons drawn from a plasma generated along the surface of said dielectric member facing said anode.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
An electron beam generating system, as set forth in Claims 1-3, wherein said dielectric member is a hollow cylinder surrounding said first electrically conductive member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
An electron beam generating system as claimed in Claims 1-3, wherein said anode and said first electrically conductive member are maintained at ground potential and said negative potential is pulsed with respect thereto.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
111 words
A method of generating a long life, high repetition rate, high current density electron beam, comprising the steps of: insulating an electrically conductive wire array from a second electrically conductive member by means of an intervening electrically insulating medium, where at least portions of said wire array confront and are spaced from an anode electrode; and applying a pulsed, high negative electrical potential to said wire array relative to both said anode electrode and said second electrically conductive member to create a plasma adjacent said wire array and said insulating medium, whereby electrons are drawn from said plasma as a high energy, large area electron beam impinging upon said anode electron.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
111 words
A method of generating a long life, high repetition rate, high current density electron beam, comprising the steps of: insulating an electrically conductive wire array from a second electrically conductive member by means of an intervening electrically insulating medium, where at least portions of said wire array confront and are spaced from an anode electrode; and applying a pulsed, high negative electrical potential to said wire array relative to both said anode electrode and said second electrically conductive member to create a plasma adjacent said wire array and said insulating medium, whereby electrons are drawn from said plasma as a high energy, large area electron beam impinging upon said anode electron.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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