Characteristics of a Plasma Anode Based on Hybrid Discharge for the Use in a High-Current Electron Gun

The paper presents the results of study of the radial distribution of charge particle density in a plasma anode of a high-current electron gun. An axial-symmetric plasma anode was formed by a hybrid discharge combining high-current reflective (Penning) discharge with vacuum arcs. Radial distributions of the ion density were measured with the use of four double probes. The obtained distributions confirmed expected increasing (by 2-3 times) of the ion density at the periphery of plasma anode in comparison with its central part. Finally, this allows one to improve the uniformity of high-current electron beam formed in the gun.