Measurement of ION Field Emission from Anode Surfaces Using a 1-MV, 50-Nanosecond Pulse Generator

Strong evidence for the emission of ions from anode surfaces as being a mechanism for the initiation of cathode plasma formation and electrical breakdown of vacuum gaps has been previously presented.
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It was shown, for example, that treatment of the anode surface can dramatically affect the turn on of the cathode. It is believed that field emission of ions from the anode is the responsible mechanism. Here we report on a more direct measurement of these ions using a Thomson parabola as a mass spectrometer using CR-39 film as an ion detector. The results of these measurements give us the species of ion responsible for the observed effects and the sensitivity of this emission to anode preparation.