Different modes of runaway electron beams generated in high-pressure gases

This article presents the results of experimental studies of different modes of a runaway electron beam (RAEB) generation in high-pressure gases as well as X-rays caused by it. In particular, the mode with the greatest beam current amplitude, the one with two current pulses, that with the X-ray pulse duration of 100s ns, the mode in which a RAEB propagates in the direction opposite from an anode, and some others are described. The effect of the cathode design and material on the RAEB current amplitude and duration in atmospheric-pressure air is shown. When analyzing the most common modes, the features of the gap breakdown are used.

Supershort electron beam from air filled diode at atmospheric pressure

The properties of an electron beam (e-beam) formed in air under atmospheric pressure are reported. The nanosecond generators RADAN-303 (two devices) and RADAN-220, producing nanosecond voltage pulses with amplitude of up to 400 kV and subnanosecond rise time were used in the experiments. It was shown for the first time that the duration of e-beam current of gas diode behind the foil does not exceed 0.1 ns. The maximum amplitude of current of a supershort avalanche electron beam (SAEB) behind the foil was ∼400 A. The data on the influence of various parameters on e-beam current amplitude measured behind the foil were obtained. An electron beam with energy less than 60 keV and powerful X-ray radiation were formed in discharge gap simultaneously with SAEB.