It is now feasible to build a thermionic emitter (electron gun) with 25 to 50 times greater precision of electrode form and position than Has been conventionally achievable. Lehrer-Pearson, inc.,(Lp) will do This using a design concept (patent pending) that allows, for the first time, high precision control of electrode form and position. What this might do to improve beam quality is presently unknown. Lp proposes to use modern materials and state of art precision technology to control a schedule of electrostatic field patterns in test guns. Data from these test guns will be used to define the presently undefined portion of the curve of electrode precision vs beam quality. It is important for design purposes to know the break of the precision vs performance curve; that is, where improving electrode form and position precision does not significantly improve beam quality. This proposal is an effort to determine the feasibility of defining a precision vs performance curve.
