FEATURES OF ELECTRON RUNAWAY IN A GAS GAP WITH A CONICAL CATHODE

Abstract

The conditions and dynamics of electron runaway in a gas gap with an inhomogeneous distribution of the electric field due to the use of a conical cathode are analyzed. Significant differences in the behavior of electrons at cone opening angles larger and smaller than the threshold value of 98.6 degrees are revealed. For a weakly inhomogeneous field distribution (cones with angles exceeding the threshold), electrons are continuously accelerated throughout the gap. In a strongly inhomogeneous field (cones with relatively small opening angles), electrons can gain maximum energy inside the gap, and begin to decelerate in the near-anode region. Despite this, they reach the anode with high energies comparable to the work of the electric field. This difference leads to the need to use different criteria for the runaway of free electrons in the gas gap.