title: A multiple gap plasma cathode electron gun and its electron beam analysis in self and trigger breakdown modes.
abstract: In the present paper, a pseudospark discharge based multiple gap plasma cathode electron gun is reported which has been operated separately in self and trigger breakdown modes using two different gases, namely, argon and hydrogen. The beam current and beam energy have been analyzed using a concentric ring diagnostic arrangement. Two distinct electron beams are clearly seen with hollow cathode and conductive phases. The hollow cathode phase has been observed for ∼50 ns where the obtained electron beam is having low beam current density and high energy. While in conductive phase it is high current density and low energy electron beam. It is inferred that in the hollow cathode phase the beam energy is more for the self breakdown case whereas the current density is more for the trigger breakdown case. The tailor made operation of the hollow cathode phase electron beam can play an important role in microwave generation. Up to 30% variation in the electron beam energy has been achieved keeping the same gas and by varying the breakdown mode operations. Also, up to 32% variation in the beam current density has been achieved for the trigger breakdown mode at optimized trigger position by varying the gas type.
authors.affiliation: CSIR-Central Electronics Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-CEERI), Pilani, Rajasthan 333031, India.
authors.forename: Niraj
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.affiliation: CSIR-Central Electronics Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-CEERI), Pilani, Rajasthan 333031, India.
authors.forename: Dharmendra Kumar
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Pal
authors.affiliation: CSIR-Central Electronics Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-CEERI), Pilani, Rajasthan 333031, India.
authors.forename: Arvind Singh
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Jadon
authors.affiliation: CSIR-Central Electronics Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-CEERI), Pilani, Rajasthan 333031, India.
authors.forename: Udit Narayan
authors.initials: UN
authors.lastname: Pal
authors.affiliation: CSIR-Central Electronics Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-CEERI), Pilani, Rajasthan 333031, India.
authors.forename: Hasibur
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rahaman
authors.affiliation: CSIR-Central Electronics Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-CEERI), Pilani, Rajasthan 333031, India.
authors.forename: Ram
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Prakash