Measurement of Electron Energies by Deflection in a Uniform Electric Field

Abstract

The well-known principle that the deflection of electrons in a uniform electric field can serve to measure the distribution of their energies, has been investigated both theoretically and experimentally. Simple theory suggests a particular choice of parameters for an instrument intended for such measurements. Design equations are presented, dimensions of a practical device are given, and the necessary associated electric circuits are discussed. An instrument of this type employes only an electric field, is small in size, is easily constructed, and provides a linear scale of energy values. An analyzer built to this design with an over-all length of five inches was able to completely separate electrons having a difference in their energies of two percent.