Claims
- 1. A method of controlling the angle of incidence of electrons in low energy, high current density, pulsed relativistic electron beams comprising the steps of:
- producing a freely drifting electron beam;
- placing a grounded mesh electrode in the path of said beam;
- said step of producing further includes the steps of accelerating an electron beam from a cathode electrode to an anode electrode through a significant potential difference; and,
- said step of placing includes the step of positioning said grounded mesh electrode between said anode and a target at a point where internal forces within the drifting beam have become apparent.
- 2. A method as in claim 1, wherein said step of locating further comprises the step of:
- positioning said auxiliary electrode where said beam has begun to pinch.
- 3. A method as in claim 2, wherein said step of positioning further comprises the step of:
- locating said auxiliary electrode at approximately 0.2 inches of drift distance when said electron beam is in the range of from 25 to 30 kev and 10 to 15 kiloamp peak current.
- 4. An apparatus for controlling the angle of incidence of electrons in low energy, high current density, pulsed relativistic electron beams comprising:
- diode means for producing a drifting electron beam;
- auxiliary electrode means coupled to said diode means and positioned within the path of said drifting electron beam at a point where internal forces within the drifting beam have become apparent;
- said diode means includes a cathode electrode and an anode electrode, said anode electrode comprising a grounded mesh electrode for transmitting a beam of electrons from said cathode; and
- said auxiliarly mesh electrode is grounded and is positioned near said mesh anode on the opposite side thereof relative to said cathode.
- 5. An apparatus as in claim 4 further comprising:
- a guide cone element defining a beam aperture; and,
- a target positioned in the path of said beam at a distance from said auxiliary electrode means.
- 6. An apparatus as in claim 4, wherein:
- said auxiliary electrode engages and is in electrical contact with said guide cone.
RIGHTS OF THE GOVERNMENT
The invention described herein may be manufactured, used and licensed by or for the U.S. Government for Governmental purposes without the payment to us of any royalty thereon.
US Referenced Citations (8)