Note: design and development of improved indirectly heated cathode based strip electron gun.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Physics
• Engineering

Background:

• Electron guns are critical components in various high-power applications.
• Existing designs face challenges with cathode temperature uniformity and structural integrity during high-power operation.
• Thoriated tungsten offers potential for improved electron emission at lower temperatures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present an improved design for an indirectly heated solid cathode electron gun.
• To enhance electron emission efficiency and ensure structural integrity during high-power operation.
• To achieve precise control over electron beam characteristics.

Main Methods:

• Utilized simulation and extensive experimentation for design optimization.
• Focused on tailoring heat flux from the filament to the solid cathode for uniform temperature distribution.
• Employed a single long filament design for the electron gun.

Main Results:

• The modified electron gun design enables high-power operation (200 kW, 45 kV).
• Achieved uniform temperature distribution on the thoriated tungsten solid cathode.
• Demonstrated a one-to-one correspondence between solid cathode length and electron beam length.

Conclusions:

• The improved electron gun design enhances performance and reliability.
• Uniform cathode temperature is key to precise electron beam generation.
• This design facilitates stable high-power electron beam applications.