Filament Controller

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ian_krase
Posts: 636
Joined: Mon Nov 28, 2016 2:48 am
Real name: Ian Krase

Filament Controller

Post by ian_krase »

Does there exist any ready-made or semi-ready-made device that acts as a controller and power supply for thermionic emission filaments?

I'm thinking of something that would have a filament driver, maybe constant current, and the ability to control and measure emission current -- combined with a plentiful amount of isolation.
Dan Knapp
Posts: 402
Joined: Wed Aug 06, 2008 8:34 am
Real name: Dan Knapp

Re: Filament Controller

Post by Dan Knapp »

An electron gun or ion source controller is what you want. Kimble Physics made/makes a series of models. There are almost always some on eBay (where I bought mine). If you can do electronic repair, there are usually some listings for “parts only” units at good prices. As with most things on eBay, try making a lower offer.
Victor Gonzalez
Posts: 28
Joined: Tue Jul 16, 2019 10:16 pm
Real name: Victor Gonzalez

Re: Filament Controller

Post by Victor Gonzalez »

It exists, Ben Krasnow does a reverse engineering of one of those in this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnF3-UF0xwU


But most power supply I see have it integrated, like mine from a x-ray machine:
viewtopic.php?f=11&t=12887
The filament control is in the right side of the PCB with the red toroid core (the filament is at HV).

You will want AC on the filament, Spellman HV has a very nice pdf that cover this (page 37).
https://www.spellmanhv.com/-/media/en/T ... 02F421D7AD
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