On the possibility to use the treatment of gyrotron cathodes by the potassium ion flow for their emission homogeneity increase

The SPbSPU high vacuum test stand has been equipped with the techniques to measure emission inhomogeneities of gyrotron cathodes and to treat cathode surface by the flow of potassium ions. The first experiments with a LaB
₆
cathode showed the possibility to improve its emission homogeneity as a result of the bombardment of the cathode surface by the ion flow.