Analysis of continuous generation of electron beams in medium-pressure gases

Stationary and stable open discharges are obtained in air, helium, and helium with an admixture of a few percent of air. The structure of the generator of an electron beam with a wide set of cathode and insulator materials is described. The experiments are performed under an air pressure of hundreds of pascals and under a helium pressure of thousands of pascals. The current-voltage characteristics of the discharge are measured and the results on the maximal current density attained are compared with the available data.