Specific features of the formation of a uniform ribbon electron beam by a plasma source in the forevacuum pressure range

Results are presented from experimental studies of the formation of a ribbon electron beam during the extraction of electrons from the plasma of a steady-state hollow-cathode discharge in the forevacuum pressure range. It is shown that the main reason for the nonuniformity of the current density is the increase in the local nonuniformity of the emission plasma density caused by the return flow of ions from the accelerating gap. Taking this feature into account when developing a system of beam extraction provides for the generation of a ribbon beam with a nonuniformity of the current density along the beam of less than 10%.