Hollow Cathode Electron Gun for Back-Streaming Electron Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electron guns suffer from back-streaming electrons that impinge on the cathode, causing overheating and reducing the cathode's lifetime and performance.
Innovation Solution
The electron gun incorporates a hollow cathode with a through hole and a grid structure positioned to allow back-streaming electrons to pass through, while focusing emitted electrons into a beam with improved convergence using an electric field.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional solid cathode is used, then the cathode structure is simple, but back-streaming electrons impinge on the cathode causing overheating and reduced lifetime
Solution Approach 1:
The cathode is segmented by introducing a through-hole that divides the cathode structure into distinct regions, allowing back-streaming electrons to pass through rather than impinge on the cathode surface. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by maintaining structural integrity while eliminating the harmful electron impact.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful back-streaming electrons are extracted from the system by providing a designated path (through-hole) for them to exit the interaction region. This removes the harmful factor from the cathode environment, extending cathode lifetime without requiring complete structural redesign.
2Temperature
If a through-hole is added to the cathode to allow back-streaming electrons to pass through, then cathode overheating is reduced, but the cathode structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The through-hole creates a segmented cathode structure that separates the electron emission region from the back-streaming electron impact region. This simple geometric modification effectively reduces cathode temperature by providing an escape path for back-streaming electrons.
Solution Approach 2:
The cathode structure is modified locally by adding a through-hole specifically in the region where back-streaming electrons are present. This localized modification addresses the temperature issue without requiring complex changes to the entire cathode structure.
3Manufacturing precision
If a grid structure is added to focus electrons, then electron beam convergence is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A grid structure is introduced as an intermediary component between the cathode and anode to focus the electron beam. The grid structure creates electric field lines that guide and converge the electron trajectories, improving beam focus while maintaining a relatively simple overall device architecture.
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 design reduces cathode overheating and extends its lifespan by preventing back-streaming electrons from impinging on the cathode, maintaining electron beam focus and performance.
Implementation Method 1
a cathode with an emitting surface configured to emit electrons... an energy source configured to provide energy to the cathode enabling the emission of the electrons from the cathode
Implementation Method 2
an anode configured to attract the emitted electrons from the cathode to the anode and focus the emitted electrons into an electron beam
Implementation Method 3
The electron gun may also include a grid structure configured to facilitate the focusing of the emitted electrons... focusing emitted electrons into a beam with improved convergence using an electric field
Data Source
AI summary
An electron gun may include a cathode with an emitting surface configured to emit electrons. The cathode may include a through hole that goes through the emitting surface and is configured to allow back-streaming electrons of the emitted electrons to pass through. The electron gun may also include an anode configured to attract the emitted electrons from the cathode to the anode and focus the emitted electrons into an electron beam. The electron gun may also include a grid structure configured to facilitate the focusing of the emitted electrons, the grid structure being positioned corresponding to the through hole.