Study of electron diodes with a ferroelectric plasma cathode

We present results of studies of time- and space-resolved energy distributi ons of electrons and ions emitted front the plasma formed on the surface of Doted and unpoled ferroelectric samples, Results of lifetime tests of diff erent ferroelectric cathodes are also described, We studied the operation o f a planar electron diode and a relativistic magnetron, both with a ferroel ectric cathode under the application of a high-voltage pulse of less than o r equal to 300 kV with a repetition rate of less than or equal to5 Hz, in t he planar diode, the energy of electrons, the uniformity of the extracted e lectron beam, and the potential distribution were studied. The obtained exp erimental data agree well with the model of plasma formation on the surface of the ferroelectric, Successful repetition rate operation of the magnetro n with a PZT ferroelectric cathode was demonstrated.