Computer experiments on electron guns

Computer techniques for analyzing an axially symmetric or two-dimensional electrode system with an emitting surface can be used to obtain cathode current density distribution, beam minimum radius and its location, as well as possible electrode current interception. Here, comparison is made of available experimental data from two axially symmetric Pierce-type guns. The choice of the two axially symmetric Pierce-type guns was made for their different value of PV/T ratio, an invariant for transverse scaling. One of them has a low ratio of PV/T
(\approx 0.1 \times 10^{-6})
, which signifies considerable beam spread due to the effects of the Maxwellian velocity distribution of the thermal electrons leaving the cathode. The other gun has a high perveance of
2 \times 10^{-6}
, and thus relatively high PV/T ratio where beam spreading is mainly due to space-charge forces alone. Good agreement with experimental data is shown. Computer techniques of this type can be a valuable tool for diagnostic purposes of any type of space-charge-flow devices (e.g., electron guns, ion guns for space propulsion, linear accelerators, etc.) and enable the engineer-designer to arrive quickly and cheaply at an optimum configuration.