Pseudospark Discharge-Based Electron Beam Sources: A Review

Pseudospark (PS) discharge-based electron beam sources are capable of generating high current density, high energy, high emittance, and high brightness self-focused electron beam. PS-based electron beam sources are potential candidates for a wide range of applications including high-voltage and high-power switching, X-ray source, electron and ion beam generation, free electron masers, extreme-ultraviolet radiation sources, free electron laser, and micro-thrusters, material process, and microwave devices. In this article, a focused review on various types of PS discharge-based electron beam sources, their mechanisms and applications have been presented. This content will provide an overview on the importance as well as some limitations of PS discharge-based electron beam sources.