(19) |
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(11) |
EP 0 809 271 A3 |
(12) |
EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
(88) |
Date of publication A3: |
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15.03.2000 Bulletin 2000/11 |
(43) |
Date of publication A2: |
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26.11.1997 Bulletin 1997/48 |
(22) |
Date of filing: 21.05.1997 |
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(51) |
International Patent Classification (IPC)7: H01J 3/02 |
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(84) |
Designated Contracting States: |
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DE FR GB IT NL |
(30) |
Priority: |
22.05.1996 US 651626
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(71) |
Applicants: |
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- Mako, Frederick Michael
Fairfax Station, Virginia 22039 (US)
- Schwartz, Ansel M.
Pittsburg, Pennsylvenia 15217 (US)
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(72) |
Inventors: |
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- Mako, Frederick Michael
Fairfax Station, VA 22039 (US)
- Peter, William Kalman
Rockville, MD 20852 (US)
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(74) |
Representative: Jones, Michael Raymond et al |
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Haseltine Lake & Co., Imperial House, 15-19 Kingsway London WC2B 6UD London WC2B 6UD (GB) |
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(57) The present invention pertains to an electron gun. The electron gun comprises an
RF cavity having a first side with an emitting surface and a second side with a transmitting
and emitting section. The gun is also comprised of a mechanism for producing an oscillating
force which encompasses the emitting surface and the section so electrons are directed
between the emitting surface and the section to contact the emitting surface and generate
additional electrons and to contact the section to generate additional electrons or
escape the cavity through the section. The section preferably isolates the cavity
from external forces outside and adjacent the cavity. The section preferably includes
a transmitting and emitting screen. The screen can be of an annular shape, or of a
circular shape, or of a rhombohedron shape. The mechanism preferably includes a mechanism
for producing an oscillating electric field that provides the force and which has
a radial component that prevents the electrons from straying out of the region between
the screen and the emitting surface. Additionally, the gun includes a mechanism for
producing a magnetic field to force the electrons between the screen and the emitting
surface. The present invention pertains to a method for producing electrons. The method
comprises the steps of moving at least a first electron in a first direction. Next
there is the step of striking a first area with the first electron. Then there is
the step of producing additional electrons at the first area due to the first electron.
Next there is the step of moving electrons from the first area to a second area and
transmitting electrons through the second area and creating more electrons due to
electrons from the first area striking the second area. These newly created electrons
from the second area then strike the first area, creating even more electrons in a
recursive, repeating manner between the first and second areas.
