Measures to alleviate the back bombardment effect of thermionic RF electron gun

The thermionic RF electron gun finds application as a high-brightness electron source for RF linacs. However, cathode heating from the back-bombardment effect (BBE) causes a ramp in the macropulse beam current and limits the usable pulse width. Three methods for alleviating the BEE, ring cathode, magnetic deflection, and laser-assisted heating, were studied theoretically and experimentally. The results of these studies are reported.<
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