Abstract:
Design, simulation and test of four types of thermionic DC electron beam guns; hairpin
source, strip source, line source and disc source have been evaluated. Beam optics
analyses were performed using SLAC electron beam trajectory program (EGUN) and
CST Particle Studio (CST-PS). The guns are in diode configurations with planar
geometry of the electrodes. The focusing electrodes were placed at the same potential of
cathode without any extra biasing or Whenelt electrode. From these novel designs well
focused and parallel beams of electrons with beam current (42mA-12A), emission density
(5.04-6.72 A/cm2), power density (5.04×104-6.72×104 W/cm2) and normalized
emittance (0.51-31.72 π-mm-mR) were obtained. The simulated results were verified
by experimental tests at 10 kV of acceleration potential. The designs are simple and
inexpensive. These guns are useful for metallurgical applications and for electron optical
devices due to high current and power densities. Moreover, these are also useful for
accelerator technology due to high emission and low emittance parameters
