The amplitude and current pulse duration of a supershort avalanche electron beam in air at atmospheric pressure

The results of experimental studies of the parameters (amplitude and duration) of a supershort avalanche electron beam (SAEB) generated in air at atmospheric pressure are presented. It is shown that the pulse duration of the beam current behind the foil from the entire area of the anode foil is larger than from small areas and depends on the cathode design. The number of electrons that are detected behind the 10-μm-thick Al foil is ∼6 × 10¹⁰ electrons, which corresponds to a SAEB amplitude of ∼100 A at a FWHM of the current pulse of ∼100 ps. An X-ray exposure dose per pulse of ∼1.8 mR was obtained using a 20-μm-thick copper foil. It was confirmed that the FWHM of a SAEB pulse is within ∼50 ps from small foil areas (with diameters of ∼7 mm or smaller).