Characterization of a pulsed electron beam with a planar charge collector

Pulsed electron beams produced by a photocathode source in the 1–10 keV energy range have been experimentally characterized by means of an electrostatic diagnostic system. A Malmberg–Penning trap in an open configuration, equipped with a planar charge collector has been used for the experiments. The relevant physical properties of the beams and their dependence on the injection conditions have been inferred through the numerical analysis of the electric signal measured across the overall load impedance of the charge collector. The indirect measurement technique presented here gives a general method to overcome the resolution limits of capacitive charge collectors.