High-frequency modulation of an electron beam produced by a plasma cathode

We present a detailed study of the recently discovered modulation at frequencies of hundreds of MHz of an electron beam produced by a plasma cathode. The plasma cathode consists of a ferroelectric disk sample [BaTiO3 or Pb(Zr, Ti)O3] that is placed in a cylindrical metal box having an output window covered by a grid. The plasma is prepared by an incomplete discharge that was ignited by a few kV driving pulse applied across the ferroelectric disk. It was shown that the current modulation appears only when the driving pulse is applied to the front gridded electrode of the ferroelectric sample and the solid rear electrode is grounded. The modulation spectrum is quite narrow (⩽3%), with harmonics at frequencies up to a few GHz. The basic frequency of modulation was found to be dependent on the length of the feed cable to the sample. Investigation of the plasma and the beam modulation properties and their dependence on the experimental parameters is presented. The results indicate the formation of a plasma at the vicinity of the front electrode of the ferroelectric sample during the modulation. The results are discussed within the frame of electrons oscillating in the potential well created by the positively charged plasma having feedback coupling with the input cable.