Multipoint explosive emission cathode operation in external magnetic field

Summary form only given, as follows. For investigation of a multipoint explosive emission cathode operation in an external magnetic field the experimental electron source with the grounded cathode was developed, manufactured and mounted. It allows measurements to be carried out of currents through the cathode points and probe measurements of the cathode plasma parameters. The following main results were obtained. Increase of the magnetic field leads to increase of the intensity of the cathode plasma generation and hence to decrease of the pulse duration. The maximum pulse duration is achieved in the absence of the magnetic field. The pulse duration depends also on the magnitude of a resistance in the circuit of the cathode mask Rm. Optimum pulse duration is achieved for Rm>15 Ohm. Increase of Rm up to several kOhm leads to increase of the pulse duration by 15%. At the front of the pulse only around 30% of the cathode points operate for any magnitude of an accelerating electrical field. The dynamics of the process of the points putting into operation is determined by the magnitude of the electric field in the accelerating gap. For maximum (for given installation) electric field strength - 17-18 kV/cm practically all points start to operate within 3 /spl mu/s after the beginning of the high voltage pulse. The magnetic field does not influence the points operation. Inhomogeneity of the currents through the points is 15-20%. In the absence of the magnetic field the inhomogeneity of probes currents does not exceed 5%. That testifies good homogeneity of the cathode plasma density, despite some inhomogeneity of the currents through the points. When the magnetic field is applied the nonuniformity of the probe currents increases up to 15%. Therefore the magnetic field influences the distribution of the cathode plasma density. Accelerating voltage practically does not influence the homogeneity of the cathode plasma density.