On the theory of temporal aberrations for cathode lenses

Abstract A new approach to the theory of temporal aberration for cathode lenses is given in the present paper. A definition of temporal aberration is given in which a certain initial energy of electron emission along the axial direction e z 1 ( 0 ⩽ e z 1 ⩽ e 0 max ) is considered. A new method to calculate the temporal aberration coefficients of cathode lenses named “direct integral method” is also presented. The “direct integral method” gives new expressions of the temporal aberration coefficients which are expressed in integral forms. The difference between “direct integral method” and “ τ -variation method” is that the “ τ -variation method” needs to solve the differential equations for the three of temporal geometrical aberration coefficients of second order, while the “direct integral method” only needs to carry out the integral calculation for all of these temporal aberration coefficients of second order. All of the formulae of the temporal aberration coefficients deduced from “direct integral method” and “ τ -variation method” have been verified by an electrostatic concentric spherical system model, and contrasted with the analytical solutions. Results show that these two methods have got identical solutions and the solutions of temporal aberration coefficients of the first and second order are the same as with the analytical solutions. Although some forms of the results seem different, but they can be transformed into the same form. Thus, it can be concluded these two methods given by us are equivalent and correct, but the “direct integral method” is related to solve integral equations, which is more convenient for computation and could be suggested for use in practical design.