Application of the pulsed electron-beam treatment of electrode surfaces for increasing the electric strength of vacuum gaps

A method for preliminary treatment of electrodes with a low-energy, high-current electron beam of microsecond duration is proposed. This method, combined with subsequent conditioning of the vacuum gap by pulsed discharges, makes it possible to achieve high values of the breakdown electric field. Projected uses of the method for increasing the electric strength of high-power electrodynamic systems are described.