Transients and efficient generation of electron beams in the pulsed wide-aperture glow discharge

The quasi-continuous wide-aperture glow discharge in helium at pressures from 1.2 to 6.0 Torr is studied. It is found that electron beam generation efficiency η is higher than 96% in the pressure range 1.2–3.0 Torr at voltages from 1.0 to 2.6 kV. The maximum power was ≈ 0 kW at 6 Torr and a voltage across the discharge gap of 2.6 kV. Under these conditions, the beam generation efficiency is about 80%. The pressure and voltage dependences of main parameters of the discharge are explained from the standpoint of its photoemission nature.