ION SOURCE USING SPINDT CATHODE AND ELECTROMAGNETIC CONFINEMENT

摘要

An ion source for use in a radiation generator tube includes a back passive cathode electrode, a passive anode electrode downstream of the back passive cathode electrode, a magnet adjacent the passive anode electrode, and a front passive cathode electrode downstream of the passive anode electrode. The front passive cathode electrode and the back passive cathode electrode define an ionization region therebetween. At least one Spindt cathode is configured to emit electrons into the ionization region. The back passive electrode electrode and the passive anode electrode, and the front passive cathode electrode and the passive anode electrode, have respective voltage differences therebetween, and the magnet generates a magnetic field, such that a Penning-type trap is produced to confine the electrons to the ionization region. At least some of the electrons in the ionization region interact with an ionizable gas to create ions.