Development of a 300-kV Marx generator and its application to drive a relativistic electron beam

We have indigenously developed a twenty-stage vertical structure type Marx generator. At a matched load of 90–100 Ω, for 25 kV DC charging, an output voltage pulse of 230 kV, and duration 150 ns is obtained. This voltage pulse is applied to a relativistic electron beam (REB) planar diode. For a cathodeanode gap of 7.5 mm, an REB having beam voltage 160kV and duration 150ns is obtained. Brass as well as aluminum explosive electron emission-type cathodes have been used     

Effect of nitrogen pressure on the energy of runaway electrons generated in a gas diode

The energy spectra of runaway electrons generated in a gas diode under the action of voltage pulses with a front width of ∼300 ps and amplitude of ∼140 kV have been studied using a time-of-flight spectrometer at nitrogen pressures in a range of 0.1–760 Torr. The delay of runaway electron beam pulse relative to the driving voltage pulse has been determined. The electron energy depends in a complicated manner on the nitrogen pressure in the gas diode and on the cathode geometry. A minimum breakdown voltage for a gap between tubular cathode and flat anode has been observed at a nitrogen pressure of ∼100 Torr. A decrease in the nitrogen pressure below 100 Torr leads to an increase in the maximum of voltage drop on the gap and the energy of the main fraction of electrons.     

Voltage-tuned relativistic backward wave oscillator

A relativistic backward wave oscillator for the 10-GHz range with the oscillation frequency tuned within about 5% by changing the accelerating voltage from 600 to 350 kV has been developed. Discrete variations in the voltage and the corresponding frequency tuning from pulse to pulse is rapidly performed by changing the anode-cathode distance in the vacuum diode without breaking vacuum in the working volume. During this, the electron beam power remains almost constant, while the output microwave power varies within 0.4–0.8 GW. The introduction of a dielectric cylinder into the accelerating gap provides a smooth voltage drop from 600 to 350 kV with the corresponding frequency tuning during a 20-ns pulse.     

Initial stage of gas discharge in an inhomogeneous electric field

A model of the initial stage of gas discharge has been developed within the framework of the particle in cell (PIC) method, with allowance for the space charge and particle collisions described using the Monte Carlo (MC) numerical simulation technique. The PIC/MC simulations of the initial stage of discharge under conditions of the electric field strength to gas pressure ratio E/P > 1 kV/(cm Torr) showed that a beam of runaway electrons is formed within ∼10 ps near the cathode, which consists of both emitted electrons and those generated as a result of the gas ionization. The duration of the beam pulse is determined primarily by plasma screening of the external electric field near the cathode and amounts to 10–20 ps.     

Metal-insulator cathode in an rf electron gun

The possibility of using metal-insulator cathodes in rf guns of 10 cm linear resonant electron accelerators has been studied experimentally for the first time. Results of calculations and the development of a prototype cathode are described. Results of an experimental investigation of the operating regimes of an rf gun are presented. The gun delivered a beam having a particle energy greater than 300 keV, a pulse length of 40–50 ns, and a pulsed current of 3.5–4.5 A. Pis’ma Zh. Tekh. Fiz. 24, 36–39 (October 12, 1998)     

Low-temperature nitriding of titanium in low-energy electron beam excited plasma

The effect of an electron beam and the related plasma on the structure, phase state, and microhardness of the surface of titanium has been studied in a broad range of beam currents (0.1–2.5 A), electron energies (0.1–1 keV), and gas pressures (0.01–1 Pa). This range was ensured by the grid stabilization of emissive properties of the plasma electron source, which formed a wide (∼40 cm²) electron beam in a space charge layer between the beam-excited plasma and the grid bounding the plasma cathode. The sample temperature (350–900°C) was determined by the electron beam parameters. The plasma density was additionally controlled by changing the gas (N₂ or Ar-N₂ mixture) pressure. It is established that, during the low-temperature nitriding process in low-energy electron beam plasma, the ion sputtering significantly affects the microhardness of a processed surface and the rate of growth of the hardened layer thickness. The possibility of nitriding at a low (−50 V) or floating potential of the sample eliminates the development of a surface relief and allows the process to be carried out in deep and narrow slits.     

Sem calibration in the micrometer and submicrometer ranges by means of a periodic linear measure

A periodic linear measure is described for use in scanning electron microscopes, which has eight values for line width in the micrometer and submicrometer ranges. Methods have been developed for calibrating the SEM with such a measure, which are not sensitive to errors in beam focusing. Translated from Izmeritel'naya Tekhnika, No. 4, pp. 48–52, April, 2000.     

A Rosen-type piezoelectric transformer employing lead-free K0.5Na0.5NbO3 ceramics

Lead-free K_0.5Na_0.5NbO₃–K_5.4Cu_1.3Ta₁₀O₂₉–MnO₂ (KNN–KCT–Mn) ceramics have been prepared by a conventional ceramic sintering technique. The ceramics show excellent piezoelectric properties for application in power devices, and the optimum properties measured are as follows: piezoelectric constant d ₃₃ = 90 pC/N, planar electromechanical coupling factor k _p = 0.40, mechanical quality factor Q _m = 1900, remanent polarization P _r = 11.8 μC/cm², coercive field E _c = 0.85 kV/mm. A Rosen-type piezoelectric transformer with a dimension of 21 mm × 6 mm × 1.2 mm was fabricated using the KNN–KCT–Mn ceramics. Properties of the piezoelectric transformer operating in the first and second modes have been characterized. For the first mode, the transformer has a maximum output power of 0.7 W with a temperature rise of 14 °C. For the second mode, the maximum output power of the transformer is 1.8 W with a temperature rise of 33 °C. KNN–KCT–Mn ceramics have shown to be a potential lead-free candidate to be used in high-voltage–low-current devices.     

A transformer-type displacement digitizer with error compensation

A new precision circuit has been developed for a phase-type transformer displacement converter in which the errors of the phase shifter are balanced out; the working principle is described. __________ Translated from Izmeritel’naya Tekhnika, No. 10, pp. 26–27, October, 2007.     

Measurement of X-ray tube accelerating potential by differentialbeam filtration

Indirect determination of X-ray generator kilovoltage (kV) using the ratio of differentially filtered beam measurements has been known for 20 years. Measurement of generator potentials used for diagnostic computed tomography (CT), conventional X-ray, and mammography typically requires filter cassettes or special instruments in the X-ray beam; the resulting readings are usually accurate within ±2%. A related technique, free of many theoretical and practical restrictions, provides simplified generator potential measurements with significantly improved accuracy. Curve fitting provides a simple relationship predicting generator kV from a measured filter response ratio. Routine use has established that this technique is robust, reliable, repeatable, and more accurate than most working standards     

Synthesis and characterization of carbon hollow microspheres

A facile approach was developed for synthesis of carbon hollow microspheres (CHM) via carbonization of the hollow polymer microspheres prepared from polymerization in the presence of l-lysine acted as in situ template. The physical and chemical structures of the samples were investigated by X-ray powder diffraction, Raman spectrum, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). SEM and TEM images show that the products consist of a large scale of monodisperse CHM with a size of about 1.1–1.3 μm. Furthermore, the resulting CHMs possess a surface area of 559 m² g⁻¹ and a pore volume of 0.27 cm³ g⁻¹. The morphology and the size of the as-obtained samples can be controlled by the polymerization temperature, polymerization time, and the dosage of l-lysine. Moreover, a possible formation mechanism of the CHM has been put forward according to the experimental data available.     

Comparative study of generation characteristics of CdS crystal laser pumped by low- and high-energy electron beams

A CdS crystal has been excited by radially converging pulsed electron beam with an electron energy of up to E ≈ 18 keV, a beam current density at the target of up to 4 kA/cm², and a pulse full width at half maximum within τ ≈ 12–100 ns. For comparison, the same crystal was pumped by electrons with E = 170 keV at τ = 2.2 ns. A specific distinctive feature of the excitation by powerful low- and high-voltage electron beams is the appearance of previously unreported long-wavelength generation with a peak at λ ≈ 535 nm in the electron-hole plasma band. In the region of the interband transition with a peak at λ ≈ 515 nm, the generation spectra are similar to those known from the literature.     

A note on ‘ferroelectricity in polymer films containing TGS powder’

Ferroelectric polymer films have been made by dispersingtgs powder. The dielectric constant ε′ of the films has been measured. The thermal behaviour of ε′ is also reported. Data have been obtained from samples prepared with different weight concentrations (10–75%) oftgs.     

Oscillographic method of measuring shockwave characteristics

A method is described for oscillographic recording of single-shot nanosecond processes on the basic of electron-optical converters, and parameter measurements are reported for shockwaves in pulsed loading of materials by a high-current electron beam. Translated from Izmeritel'naya Tekhnika, No. 10, pp. 43–44, October, 1996.     

Radiation-spectroscopic characteristics of an ablation pulse plasma generator (accelerator) at low pressure

The results of a radiation-spectroscopic investigation of the plasma generated by an ablation (erosion) pulse plasma generator of cylindrical geometry operating at low pressure have been presented. The electron temperature for different dielectrics has been determined from integral spectra with radial conversion of intensities and without it. __________ Translated from Inzhenerno-Fizicheskii Zhurnal, Vol. 80, No. 3, pp. 164–168, May–June, 2007.     

High-power HF laser pumped by an electron-beam-initiated chemical nonchain reaction

The development of a high-power HF laser pumped by a chemical nonchain reaction initiated by a radially converging electron beam is reported. A radiation energy of ∼ 115 J with an efficiency of ∼ 8% in terms of deposited energy has been achieved in a mixture with an active volume of ∼ 30 liters. It is shown that because of the high SF₆ density, the total pressure jump in SF₆–H₂(D₂) mixtures caused by the electron beam injection and the chemical reactions is several times smaller than that in the active mixtures of exciplex lasers for the same input energies. This factor considerably facilitates the development of wide-aperture HF and DF lasers with an SF₆ fluorine donor pumped by an electron-beam-initiated chemical nonchain reaction. Pis’ma Zh. Tekh. Fiz. 23, 58–64 (March 12, 997)     

Change in the properties of BT-23 titanium alloy induced by implantation of iron and zirconium ions followed by exposure to a low-energy high-current electron beam

Atomic physics methods, atomic force microscopy, and testing of microhardness, wear resistance, and friction coefficient were used to investigate Ti₄₁-V₄₁-Al₁₈ samples implanted with iron (60 kV) and zirconium (40 kV) ions, and then exposed to a high-current electron beam with energy fluxes of 2.7 and 5.5 J/cm². The maximum concentration of iron ions is 16.5 at.% at a depth of 85 nm and that of zirconium ions 0.85 at.% at 56 nm. After double implantation, the friction coefficient decreases and the wear resistance increases. After implantation and high-current electron beam treatment, the depth of the hardened layer and the wear resistance increase. Pis’ma Zh. Tekh. Fiz. 25, 66–73 (August 12, 1999)     

Effective regimes of runaway electron beam generation in helium,hydrogen, and nitrogen

Runaway electron beam parameters and current-voltage characteristics of discharge in helium, hydrogen, and nitrogen at pressures in the range of several Torr to several hundred Torr have been studied. It is found that the maximum amplitudes of supershort avalanche electron beams (SAEBs) with a pulse full width at half maximum (FWHM) of ∼100 ps are achieved in helium, hydrogen, and nitrogen at a pressure of ∼60, ∼30, and ∼10 Torr, respectively. It is shown that, as the gas pressure is increased in the indicated range, the breakdown voltage of the gas-filled gap decreases, which leads to a decrease in the SAEB current amplitude. At pressures of helium within 20–60 Torr, hydrogen within 10–30 Torr, and nitrogen within 3–10 Torr, the regime of the runaway electron beam generation changes and, by varying the pressure in the gas-filled diode in the indicated intervals, it is possible to smoothly control the current pulse duration (FWHM) from ∼100 to ∼500 ps, while the beam current amplitude increases by a factor of 1.5–3.     

Gigawatt power electron beam generator

In this paper, the design and constructional details of a short-pulse electron beam generator are presented highlighting some of the novel features of its operation. The diagnostic results of the electron beam, both in the diode and in the drift region, are described. A 60-ns duration 200 keV, 30 kA electron beam has been obtained.     

Dynamics of the anode plasma in the magnetically insulated diode of the COBRA ion accelerator by modified laser deflectometry

A new type of optical system for measurements of laser beam deflection has been developed and implemented experimentally. The refractive index gradient in the anode plasma of a megavolt magnetically insulated diode in a high-power ion accelerator has been measured with submicron resolution. The refractive index distribution in the layer was measured during the pulse and the average electron density in the layer was determined. Pis’ma Zh. Tekh. Fiz. 23, 63–68 (May 26, 1997)