Eur. Phys. J. D 15, 345-348 (2001)
https://doi.org/10.1007/s100530170150

Intense electron emission from carbon fiber cathodes

Physics Department, Technion, 32000 Haifa, Israel

Corresponding author: ^a fnkrasik@physics.technion.ac.il

Received: 12 March 2001
Published online: 15 September 2001

Abstract

We studied the emission properties of carbon fiber cathodes. These cathodes were made either of a single carbon fiber or of carbon fabric, or of an array of carbon fiber bundles. It was found that an intense emission of electrons occurs from a plasma which is formed on the carbon fiber surface as a result of a flashover process. In addition, the time delay in the appearance of the electron emission with respect to the start of the accelerating voltage pulse was found to depend strongly on the voltage growth rate. A simple model of the plasma formation is suggested.