Study of electron diodes with a ferroelectric plasma cathode

We present results of studies of time- and space-resolved energy distributions of electrons and ions emitted from the plasma formed on the surface of poled and unpoled ferroelectric samples. Results of lifetime tests of different ferroelectric cathodes are also described. We studied the operation of a planar electron diode and a relativistic magnetron, both with a ferroelectric cathode under the application of a high-voltage pulse of /spl les/300 kV with a repetition rate of /spl les/5 Hz. In the planar diode, the energy of electrons, the uniformity of the extracted electron beam, and the potential distribution were studied. The obtained experimental data agree well with the model of plasma formation on the surface of the ferroelectric. Successful repetition rate operation of the magnetron with a PZT ferroelectric cathode was demonstrated.