Plasma Anode Formation in a High-Current Electron Gun with the Use of a Hybrid Discharge

The paper presents the results of a study of a glow spatial structure and temporal dynamics of a hybrid discharge combining a high-current reflective discharge with vacuum arcs at a voltage supplying the discharge up to 9 kV and working gas (argon) pressures of 0.1–1 mTorr. The possibility of forming a plasma anode with enhanced ion density at the periphery has been demonstrated with the use of this discharge. Preliminary results of measurements of the energy density distribution over the cross section of a low-energy (up to 30 keV) high-current (up to 25 kA) electron beam formed in an electron gun with explosive emission cathode and plasma anode based on the hybrid discharge are also presented. The promise of the proposed method for improving the beam homogeneity has been shown.