Скачать или смотреть Broad-Spectrum Electron Gun for Laboratory Simulation of Orbital Environments

A novel type of electron gun is discussed which emits electrons across a broad spectrum of energies. The motivation is to closely match the space environment with electron emission that is capable of a custom continuous range of energies and densities. Laboratory experiments to study spacecraft charging and space weathering are limited by the inability of conventional mono-energetic electron beams to produce space-representative electron fluxes. The new broad-spectrum electron gun enables straightforward and cost-effective simulation of the space electron flux environment in a laboratory vacuum chamber. A prototype device is used to create continuous spectra between 1 eV and 9 keV, with tests in progress to demonstrate continuous spectra up to 30 keV and higher. A future prototype is discussed which allows for arbitrary tuning of the output spectra to closely match a desired space environment. This device represents a significant advancement for the experimental spacecraft charging and space weathering communities by allowing test samples to be studied in the same electron flux environment in which they operate.