The multiarc plasma cathode electron source

Optical radiation in breakdown of the acceleration gap of a forevacuum pressure, wide-aperture, plasma-cathode, pulsed electron source

“…Among the possible causes of breakdown in an acceleration gap is the backward ion flow and «secondary plasma» in the gap [3], ion charging of dielectric inclusions at the emission electrode or stabilizing grid [6], acceleration system geometry, and change in perveance of the gap [7]. All these factors contribute to accelerating gap breakdown, but which factor dominates in forevacuum wide-aperture pulsed electron sources is not clear.…”