Dual Diamond Electron-Emitting Electrode for Magnetron Efficiency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electron-emitting electrodes in magnetrons have limited efficiency in electron emission, particularly in terms of secondary electron emission, which affects the overall performance of the device.

Innovation Solution

The use of a dual diamond structure in the electron-emitting electrode, where one diamond member is n-type and the other is p-type, with specific elements like nitrogen, phosphorus, arsenic, antimony, boron, aluminum, gallium, and indium, enhances electron emission efficiency by increasing the surface area and utilizing conductive diamond with negative electron affinity to emit primary and secondary electrons effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a conventional electron-emitting electrode is used, then the device structure is simple, but the electron emission efficiency is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectron emission efficiencyVSAvoidelectrode structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electrode surface is segmented into multiple diamond members with different conductivity types (n-type and p-type) arranged in a matrix pattern. This segmentation allows each region to contribute differently to electron emission, increasing overall efficiency while maintaining a manageable structural complexity through systematic arrangement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The electrode uses composite diamond structures combining n-type diamond members (with elements like nitrogen, phosphorus, arsenic, antimony, or bismuth) and p-type diamond members (with elements like boron, aluminum, gallium, or indium). This composite material approach enables simultaneous enhancement of primary and secondary electron emission through the complementary properties of different diamond types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Quantity of substance

If higher temperatures are used to increase electron emission, then electron production increases, but energy consumption and device stress increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectron production quantityVSAvoidoperating temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the fundamental parameter of the emitting surface by introducing diamond members with negative electron affinity. This parameter change enables efficient electron emission at lower temperatures because the negative electron affinity reduces the energy barrier for electron emission, allowing high electron production without requiring high thermal energy input.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the conventional thermal emission mechanism with a quantum mechanical tunneling mechanism enabled by negative electron affinity in diamond. This substitution allows electrons to be emitted more efficiently at lower temperatures by exploiting quantum effects rather than relying solely on thermal energy to overcome the work function barrier.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration significantly increases the efficiency of electron emission, allowing for higher primary and secondary electron production, even at lower temperatures, thereby improving the performance of the electron-emitting electrode and magnetron.

Implementation Method 1

The first diamond member includes a first element. The first element includes at least one selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, phosphorus, arsenic, antimony, and bismuth

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermionic emission: Thermionic Emission

Implementation Method 2

The second diamond member includes a second element. The second element including at least one selected from the group consisting of boron, aluminum, gallium, and indium

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSecondary electron emission:

Data Source

PatentUS11387069B2Electron-emitting electrode including multiple diamond members and magnetron including same

Publication Date: 2022.07.12 KK TOSHIBA

AI summary

According to one embodiment, an electron-emitting electrode includes a first member, a first diamond member, and a second diamond member. A surface of the first member includes a first region and a second region. The first diamond member is provided at the first region. The first diamond member includes a first element that includes at least one of nitrogen, phosphorus, arsenic, antimony, and bismuth. The second diamond member is provided at the second region. The second diamond member includes a second element that includes at least one of boron, aluminum, gallium, and indium.