Patent ID: 7122949
Filing Date: 2006-10-17
Classification: H01J

Abstract:
1. Electron beam generating device, comprising: a cylinder-shaped member formed of a dielectric material having a dielectric constant ε>100, said cylinder-shaped member having an external surface and a central opening formed therethrough defining an internal surface thereof, said central opening extending longitudinally along the symmetrical axis of said cylinder-shaped member; an internal electrode electrically coupled to said cylinder-shaped member at said internal surface thereof; an external electrode electrically coupled to said cylinder-shaped member at said external surface thereof; triggering source means for triggering a pulse, said triggering source means coupled between said internal and external electrodes; a cathode member electrically coupled to said external electrode, said cathode member having sidewalls and a bottom section, the sidewalls of said cathode member being in surrounding relationship with at least a portion of said external surface of said cylinder-shaped member, said bottom section of said cathode member having a central bore opening formed therein and disposed in alignment with said central opening of said cylinder-shaped member; and an anode member disposed remotely from said central bore opening along said symmetrical axis of said cylinder-shaped member, wherein, upon application of said pulse between said internal and external electrodes, a sliding surface discharge is created along said internal surface of said cylinder-shaped member to produce electrons, said electrons being concentrated at said symmetrical axis of said cylinder-shaped member, and wherein an electrical field between said cathode and anode members accelerates said concentrated electrons to a high energy, thus forming a high-energy electron beam, and extracts said high energy electron beam through said central bore opening of said cathode member towards said anode member.