Electron beam characteristic of multi-gap pseudo-spark discharge system

Summary form only given, as follows. A triggered multi-gap pseudo-spark discharge systems (TPDS) was designed and fabricated. The TPDS had ten gaps. The TPDS had been operated up to 35 kV at 60 mTorr of Ar gas. The peak beam current extracted from the anode electrode was measured as a function of external capacitance. The external capacitance was varied from 1 nF to 10 nF. The maximum peak beam current was obtained with 1 nF external capacitance. Typical pulse duration of the electron beam was 30 ns. The density of the electron beam was also investigated by using spectroscopic measurement. The principle of space charge neutralization was adopted for the electron beam density analysis. The measured value of the electron beam density was about 2.5/spl Omega/10/sup 16//cm/sup 3/ with an experimental condition of 1 nF external capacitance, 35 kV charging voltage, and 60 mTorr of He gas.