Current self-limitation in a transverse nanosecond discharge with a slotted cathode

摘要

A high-voltage transverse pulsed nanosecond discharge with a slotted hollow cathode was found to be a source of high-energy (few kV) ribbon electron beams.Conditions for the formation and extinction of electron beams were experimentally studied in discharges in helium at pressures of 1-100 Torr.It was found that interaction of fast electrons with a non-uniform electric field near the slotted cathode led to limitation of the magnitude of the discharge current.A physical model was developed to describe the discharge current self-limitation that was in satisfactory agreement with the experimental results.Some technical solutions that are expected to increase the upper current limits in transverse nanosecond discharge are discussed.