Polishing effect of metal cathodes with aging by subnanosecond voltage pulses
Effects connecting with polish of steel cathode have been studied when electric field enough for explosive emission development riches in times about nanosecond and shorter. Dynamic time-domain reflectometry method permits one to match the voltage rise time at the cathode and the beginning of current emission within a picosecond accuracy. Values of macroscopic electric field on the metal and corresponding time delay of explosive electron emission for magnetically isolated coaxial diode idle operation have been determined. It was also demonstrated the high influence of voltage rise time on the rate of emission development.