Electron-Beam Controlled Discharges

When an electron beam (e-beam) is injected into a gas located between two electrodes, a volume discharge, which turns on and off in association with the beam, can be generated. We present a review of the theory and new experimental data for such a discharge relevant to potential applications for high-power switching. The data suggest that an optimum balance between the contradictory requirements of low resistivity and short opening time may be realized by proper choice of gas mixture.