Simulation and Experimental Investigation of the Channel Electron Multiplier
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摘要: 单通道电子倍增器(CEM)作为一种高增益电真空器件,广泛应用于质谱分析、空间探测等领域。当前国产CEM普遍存在增益低、一致性较差等问题。从模拟和实验两方面开展了高增益CEM的研制工作。模拟基于CST Studio Suite电子仿真软件,结合有限积分法、Monte Carlo法及Furman二次电子发射模型,构建了CEM三维模型,模拟了电子在CEM通道内的运动轨迹与倍增过程。仿真结果表明:CEM性能与其结构和操作参数以及通道内壁二次电子发射特性相关,当CEM喇叭口直径为13 mm、通道孔径为1.2 mm、通道直桶段长度为14 mm、弯曲段半径为15.5 mm时,CEM增益最高。基于模拟结果,开展了相关实验研究,优化了CEM结构参数。测试结果表明:同等电压下,结构优化后CEM增益提升了近5倍,实验与模拟结果一致。此外,实验采用原子层沉积技术在通道内壁制备了Al2O3膜层,测试结果表明,CEM增益提高了近20倍。为国产CEM的最优结构设计与性能提升提供重要的参考。
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关键词:
- 单通道电子倍增器 /
- 有限积分法 /
- Monte Carlo法 /
- 原子层沉积 /
- 增益
Abstract:Background The Single-Channel Electron Multiplier (CEM), as a high-gain electrovacuum device, is widely utilized in fields such as mass spectrometry and space exploration. Currently, domestically produced CEMs often face challenges including relatively low gain and inconsistent performance.Purpose To address these issues, this study undertakes the development of high-gain CEMs through both simulation and experimental approaches.Methods For the simulation, a three-dimensional model of the CEM was established using CST Studio Suite, incorporating the finite integration technique, the Monte Carlo method, and the Furman secondary electron emission model. This model systematically simulated the electron trajectories and multiplication processes within the channel.Results The simulation results indicate that the electron multiplication characteristics of CEMs are significantly influenced by structural parameters and functional thin films. The optimal structural parameters were identified as a funnel diameter of 13 mm, a channel diameter of 1.2 mm, a straight-channel length of 14 mm, and a bending radius of 15.5 mm.Experimentally, the fabricated CEM channels exhibited consistent morphology with a low film roughness of approximately 0.65 nm, indicating good process consistency and high smoothness of the inner walls, which aligns well with the theoretical design. A comparison between two CEMs with different structural parameters revealed that the optimized structure achieved a nearly fivefold increase in gain under the same operating voltage. Furthermore, after depositing an approximately 5 nm thick Al2O3 functional film on the inner channel wall via atomic layer deposition, the gain of the CEM increased by approximately 20 times under the same voltage, underscoring the critical role of functional films with a high secondary electron emission coefficient in enhancing gain.Conclusions Through theoretical simulation and performance optimization analysis, this study provides key parameter optimization guidelines and a technical foundation for the localized design of CEMs. -
表 1 CEM的输入参数
Table 1. Input Parameters for the CEM
input parameters input value cathode voltage (Uc) 0 V input voltage of CEM (UCEM-in) 100 V output voltage of CEM (UCEM-out) 1000 Vanode voltage (Ua) 1100 Vvolume resistance (R) 60 MΩ channel aperture (D) 0.92 mm length of CEM (L) 52.7 mm height of CEM (L) 15.5 mm the width of the top of the bellmouth (Do) 13 mm the length of the bellmouth (Lo) 20 mm length of the straight section of CEM (Lc) 14 mm radius of the curved section of CEM (Rc) 15.5 mm -
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