A Novel Multi-Aperture r-θ Configuration-Based Pseudospark-Driven Electron Beam Source

The simultaneous generation of an electron beam with high energy and high current density with a high-fill factor is challenging for a backward wave oscillator (BWO) and other linear-beam devices. To address this issue, a novel r-
$\theta $
multi-aperture configuration is reported in this letter. The configuration of 17 apertures of 1 mm dia has been optimized using 3D particle-in-cell (PIC) simulation software, VSim. The optimization has been carried out in order to enhance the beam energy and beam current density simultaneously with a high fill factor. With these optimized apertures arrangement, a pseudospark-based electron beam source has been developed. The experimental characterization of the source leads to achieving the maximum beam current density of more than 600 A/cm2 and beam energy equal to 17.5 keV.