Performance of a SiC-nanowire-based explosive-emission pulsed plasma electron source

Abstract

Large-scale, well-aligned SiC nanowires (SiCNWs) were developed and their performance as an explosive-emission cathode driven by a high-voltage pulse modulator (450 kV, 120 ns) is reported. The current density was on the order of 1.2 kA/cm2 at an electric field of 90 kV/cm. By comparison with polymer velvets, the SiCNW-based cathodes showed a larger current amplitude, a smaller ignition delay, more uniform surface plasmas, and constant diode impedances during the pulse flattop. The SiCNWs also showed a very small variation in current density in the shot-to-shot mode, which suggests an outstanding advantage in terms of cathode lifetime.

Developments of Pulsed Electron Beam Sources for High-Power Microwave Applications

“…The high-current electron beam source cathode could directly affect or even determine the performance of high-power microwave devices [8]- [15]. In a single-run high-power microwave system, a high-current electron beam source should be able to provide a uniform beam density distribution in the order of kA/cm 2 [16]. In addition, in order to achieve high-repetition rate and long-term operation [17], high-current electron beam sources are required to process the quality of high intensity beam emission, as well as being resistant to ablation, small outgassing, long life, and stable and reliable at high-repetition mode [18], [19].…”