A high-voltage triggered pseudospark discharge experiment

The design and execution of a pulsed high‐voltage (350–400 keV) triggered pseudospark discharge experiment is reported. Experimental studies were carried out to obtain an optimal design for stable and reliable pseudospark operation in a high‐voltage regime (≳350 kV). Experiments were performed to determine the most suitable fill gas for electron‐beam formation. The pseudospark discharge is initiated by a trigger mechanism involving a flashover between the trigger electrode and hollow cathode housing. Experimental results characterizing the electron‐beam energy using the range‐energy method are reported. Source size imaging was carried out using an x‐ray pinhole camera and a novel technique using Mylar as a witness plate. It was experimentally determined that strong pinching occurred later in time and was associated with the lower‐energy electrons.