Characterization of an Electron Gun Based on a Pseudospark for Application in Hypersonic Shock Tunnels

Abstract

Experimental investigation of an intense pulsed electron beam based on a pseudospark is presented. The device will be used to implement the technique of electron beam fluorescence (EBF) in hypersonic shock tunnel to measures the velocity and the temperature of the flow. A three electrodes pseudospark was constructed and the voltage breakdown characteristics as function of pressure (Pachen's curve) for five gases were taken (He, Ar, Ne, N2 and synthetic air). The collimated electron beam generated by this device was analised using two current transformers and a digital photo furnished the beam diameter. Electron pulse duration about 70 ns with diameter of 5 mm and a current density about 407 A/cm 2 was generated. The EBF spectra of the gases was taken, with the spectra was calculated Nitrogen vibrational temperature by Boltzmann method and the result was about 4200K.