A method for presenting cathode emission data has been developed which yields cathode performance curves i n a convenient form f o r t h e cathode engineer, design engineer, and end user. The curves provide important diagnostic information not previously available which characterizes cathode emission performance over t h e e n t i r e range of operation and indicates defects i n device fabrication. Direct comparisons of measurements on cathodes of various size and vehicle configuration are possible due t o t h e normalized form of t h e performance curves.Construction of the curves and t h e i r interpretation are discussed.
The 3D finite-element gun and collector modeling code, MICHELLE, has been under development at SAIC in collaboration with industrial partners and national laboratories (ref. 1). This development program has been designed to address the shortcomings of current beam optics simulation and modeling tools for vacuum electron devices. The program specifically targets problem classes including gridded-guns, sheet-beam guns, multi-beam devices, and anisotropic collectors, with a focus on improved physics models. The code includes both structured and unstructured grid systems for meshing flexibility. Advances have been made in the areas of accurate particle tracking through the mesh and beam emission methods, including new models for thermionic, temperature-limited, Child's law and secondary emission.
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