Investigation of the Chemical Composition of Films Obtained by Electric Arc Spraying of Graphite and Titanium from Two Sources

A promising material for cold cathodes creation are carbon films with both acceptable emission properties and satisfactory adhesion to the substrate. It is known that inclusions of metallic elements (chromium, titanium, etc.) improve the adhesion of the carbon film to the substrate. One of the methods for producing coatings based on carbon and titanium is electric arc spraying of a Ti/C composite cathode in an argon atmosphere. The disadvantage of this method is the presence in the total plasma flow of carbon microparticles, which are sources of structural defects in the growing film. Magnetic separation of carbon plasma solves the above problem. In this work, composite metal-carbon films were obtained by simultaneous electric arc spraying of graphite in a magnetic field and of titanium from two evaporators. The composition of the films was studied by Raman spectroscopy (RS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). It has been established that the samples obtained are composite films consisting of graphite nanoparticles, Ti14C13 nanoclusters or Ti8C12, titanium oxides, and titanium carbide TiCxN1–x compounds.

Fully Vacuum-Sealed Diode-Structure Addressable ZnO Nanowire Cold Cathode Flat-Panel X-ray Source: Fabrication and Imaging Application

A fully vacuum-sealed addressable flat-panel X-ray source based on ZnO nanowire field emitter arrays (FEAs) was fabricated. The device has a diode structure composed of cathode panel and anode panel. ZnO nanowire cold cathodes were prepared on strip electrodes on a cathode panel and Mo thin film strips were prepared on an anode panel acting as the target. Localized X-ray emission was realized by cross-addressing of cathode and anode electrodes. A radiation dose rate of 10.8 μGy/s was recorded at the anode voltage of 32 kV. The X-ray imaging of objects using different addressing scheme was obtained and the imaging results were analyzed. The results demonstrated the feasibility of achieving addressable flat-panel X-ray source using diode-structure for advanced X-ray imaging.

40 year anniversary of the RADAN systems – compact pulsed power sources for various investigations

This article includes a brief overview of the compact RADAN-series subgigawatt pulsed voltage sources and describes their capabilities in various electrophysical researches. We present the results obtained in the experiments at nano- and subnanosecond time scales on the formation of the voltage pulses with a special shape, electron beams emission in air gaps and by the cold cathodes in vacuum, as well as generation of electromagnetic radiation. Particular attention is paid to the promising application of the RADAN systems.

Investigation of changes in field electron emission characteristics of industrial fine-grained graphite when operated in an argon atmosphere up to 10–2 Pa

Studying of field electron emission properties of carbon cathodes operating under technical vacuum conditions is a promising scientific field. Massive cathode made of commercial fine-grained graphite of MG (Russian abbreviation) grade is being investigated. Experiments on obtaining current-voltage characteristics and long-term testing are being carried out. The emitter made of fine-grained graphite demonstrates good emission properties under technical vacuum conditions. Carbon cathode is capable of operating at pressures up to 2×10–2 Pa. Increased pressure in the vacuum chamber leads to deterioration of cathode emission properties. Electric field enhancement factors were calculated for all stages of studies. Analysis of experimental data demonstrates decrease in enhancement factor due to ion bombardment of cathode surface during exploitation. This results in higher electric field for operation of investigated graphite cold cathodes.

Investigation of the Effect of Structural Properties of a Vertically Standing CNT Cold Cathode on Electron Beam Brightness and Resolution of Secondary Electron Images

Carbon nanotube (CNT)-based cold cathodes are promising sources of field emission electrons for advanced electron devices, particularly for ultra-high-resolution imaging systems, due to their high brightness and low energy spread. While the electron field emission properties of single-tip CNT cathodes have been intensively studied in the last few decades, a systematic study of the influencing factors on the electron beam properties of CNT cold cathodes and the resolution of the secondary electron images has been overlooked in this field. Here, we have systematically investigated the effect of the structural properties of a CNT cold cathode on the electron beam properties and resolution of secondary electron microscope (SEM) images. The aspect ratio (geometric factor) and the diameter of the tip of a vertically standing CNT cold cathode significantly affect the electron beam properties, including the beam size and brightness, and consequently determine the resolution of the secondary electron images obtained by SEM systems equipped with a CNT cold cathode module. Theoretical simulation elucidated the dependence of the structural features of CNT cold cathodes and electron beam properties on the contribution of edge-emitted electrons to the total field emission current. Investigating the correlations between the structural properties of CNT cold cathodes, the properties of the emitted electron beams, and the resolution of the secondary electron images captured by SEM equipped with CNT cold cathode modules is highly important and informative as a basic model.

Получение естественного металломатричного композита Al-Nb деформацией сдвигом под давлением и его эмиссионная эффективность в тлеющем разряде

A natural, in-situ, metal-matrix composite Al-Nb with an intermetallic phase Al3Nb with a fraction of 25% at. was obtained by deformation shear under pressure and subsequent annealing. The microstructure of the composite was studied. The emission efficiency in the glow discharge of Al-Nb composite, as well as aluminum and niobium as cold cathodes, was determined. The analysis of the difference between the glow discharge current at fixed voltages for cathodes from the studied materials is carried out.

Design and Construction the RF Ion Source for Compact Accelerator with 30 keV Energy

In constructing the low energy accelerator for plant modification the most important part is the ion source. In the conventional cold cathodes and hot filament ion source methods the filament continuously burns out over time, has a shorter lifespan and requires venting of the ion source to atmosphere. Henceforth the Radio frequency (RF) antenna ion source or “non-thermionic ion source” with 13.6 MHz was used in the accelerator as well as it being easy to generate varie the plasma souce and stability. This ion source can produce a particle beam of about ~30 to 40 mA current. The ion particle was extracted by the first zero voltage extraction rod electrode method focusing the ion beam of 0-30 kV with the second rod electrode after which the third rod electrode has zero voltage. In calculating and designing this system via the Simion8.0 Program, the result showed that the Ar+ ion beam with 30 keV can be focused with 1 cm diameter beam at the distance of 10 cm of the drift space.