The effect of pulsed electron-beam treatment of electrodes on vacuum breakdown

Authors :: G. E. Ozur
Alexander V. Batrakov
A. B. Markov
V. P. Rotshtein
D.I. Proskurovsky
Source :: IEEE Transactions on Dielectrics and Electrical Insulation. 2:237-242
Publication Year :: 1995
Publisher :: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), 1995.
Abstract: A method for preliminary treatment of electrodes by a microsecond low-energy intense electron beam is proposed. It has been demonstrated that such a beam melts off the electrode surface and cleans the surface layers from impurities and dissolved gases. In combination with subsequent conditioning of the vacuum gap with low-current pulsed discharges, high breakdown electric fields can be attained. >