The characteristics of pulsed hollow cathode discharges used forpseudospark switch triggering

The complex interaction between the trigger discharge and the main switch discharge in high-power gas discharge switches influences both the switching characteristics, and the switch and trigger lifetime. Any attempts to improve either of these parameters has to take into account the pressure and geometry dependence of a particular trigger geometry. Yet, although not very intensely investigated in detail for this particular purpose, pulsed hollow cathode discharges are commonly used for low-pressure gas discharge triggering as in pseudospark switches. Measurements of the electron current flowing to the cathode backplane of a pseudospark switch from the pulsed hollow cathode trigger discharge show that maximum current densities are peaked around the symmetry axis of the trigger electrode, an effect which is more pronounced at low pressures. Delayed (and slowed-down) increase of the current density at larger radii leads to increasing delay and jitter, provided the trigger coupling holes in the cathode backplane are located off-axis. The electron current density increases with decreasing diameter of the trigger electrode, and with increasing pressure of the working gas. In addition, it is shown that a preionization (keep-alive) current in the trigger electrode region shows a distinct influence on the trigger current distribution, proving that there exists an optimum keep-alive current depending on the geometry and gas pressure     

Investigations about triggering of coaxial multichannel pseudosparkswitches

A fundamental problem of pseudospark switches is erosion in the borehole area. One way to reduce erosion is to distribute the current to several discharge channels. Essential for multichannel operation is a reliable ignition of all these channels. The aim of this work was to find out the requirements for a trigger for multichannel pseudospark switches and to develop a suitable trigger device. The investigations were made with a three channel pseudospark switch. The developed trigger is a pulsed hollow cathode discharge with a 3 mA dc-preionization. A trigger voltage of 4 kV results in a current of about 6 A in the hollow cathode of the trigger-section. This hollow cathode discharge causes a trigger current into the hollow cathodes of the pseudospark chambers. The trigger current which is necessary to ignite an equally distributed discharge has to be at least 3 mA into each main switch hollow cathode. A jitter of 2 ns was achieved for the coaxial multichannel pseudospark switch     

Requirements for simultaneous ignition of all channels in ahigh-current radial multichannel pseudospark switch

In order to reduce erosion of electrodes and consequently achieve a long lifetime for high-power switches, a low-pressure switch, namely the pseudospark switch (PSS), is investigated as an alternative to the conventional high-power switches. The erosion can be reduced further along with an enhancement of the current and the rate of current rise, if more channels are introduced for the passage of current. An intense electron beam is known to be emitted by the hollow cathode during the starting phase in a pseudospark discharge. It has been reported that in a multichannel setup each installed channel can ignite only if it gets ionized by its respective beam. The results presented in this paper show how this multichannel operation can be accomplished. These results are based on a statistical study of a radial multichannel pseudospark switch and an observation of the discharge course by means of high-speed photography and show that a glow discharge trigger, with a high glow current (⩾1.2 mA) and slowly rising trigger pulses (⩾150 ns), allows a simultaneous ignition of up to 12 channels     

Triggering of radial multichannel pseudospark switches by a pulsedhollow cathode discharge

We report on a special trigger discharge for pulsed high-power pseudospark switches. The switch used is a radial three-channel pseudospark switch. For triggering, a cylindrical trigger electrode is inserted into the hollow cathode of the main gap. This electrode acts as a hollow cathode for the dc preionization, while the hollow cathode of the main gap is the anode. A negative high-voltage pulse supplied to the trigger electrode ignites the main discharge. We report the temporal evolution of the trigger discharge observed with a fast camera. This trigger method gives an excellent current distribution among the discharge channels, as can be proven by fast photography. The switch has a delay of 220 ns and a jitter of 15 ns     

赝火花开关放电的蒙特卡罗粒子模拟

采用粒子模拟和蒙特卡罗相结合的方法,应用静电求解模型,对赝火花开关初始放电过程进行了模拟。赝火花开关初始放电过程主要由汤森放电过程、等离子体形成、空心阴极效应和场致发射引发主放电组成;等离子体形成和空心阴极效应对赝火花开关的发展导通具有至关重要的作用。改变赝火花开关工作参数,如气压、电极孔径、阳极电压和阴极腔中初始粒子密度,研究其对赝火花开关电子峰值电流形成时间的影响。结果表明：随着气压、电极孔径、阳极电压和初始粒子密度的增大,赝火花开关电子峰值电流形成时间减小。     

The model of internal column of hollow cathode vacuum discharge

Analyzes the characteristics of rarefied, nonequilibrium-state plasmas in the internal column of a hollow cathode discharge (HCD). The analysis is based on the theory of plasma disintegration in a strong electric field (Dreicer 1959, 1960). It is demonstrated that this process has a crucial influence upon the forming of directed flux of electrons with energy values 20-30 eV at the exit of the hollow cathode. The obtained values significantly exceed the energy of thermal motion of electrons in the plasma disintegration zone. A new method is suggested of calculating electron density and electric field intensity in respect to the axis of the internal column in the channel model of the discharge. In addition, a method is presented of calculating the length of the internal column and the energy of the directed electron flux at the exit of the hollow cathode on the basis of HCD fundamental parameters     

小型空心阴极等离子体电子枪实验

基于空心阴极效应和低压辉光放电原理,设计了一种小型空心阴极等离子体电子枪并进行了实验研究,在低气压下获得了稳定的空心阴极辉光放电,测量电子枪放电结果表明：在空心阴极中加入灯丝热子可明显降低放电气压;电子束电流的大小随放电电压增大而增大,受气体气压影响较小;在气压2 Pa,放电电压10 kV,脉宽4 μs脉冲下放电,可得到脉宽为2 μs,电流为600 mA的电子束。     

Formation of narrow-focused electron beams generated by a source with a plasma cathode in the forevacuum pressure range

Results are presented from experimental studies of the formation of focused electron beams produced by extracting electrons from the plasma of a steady-state discharge with a hollow cathode in the forevacuum pressure range. Based on the measurements of the energy spectrum and diameter of the electron beam, as well as of the emission parameters of the plasma produced in the course of beam-gas interaction, a conclusion is drawn about the excitation of a beam-plasma discharge that deteriorates the beam focusing conditions. The threshold beam current density for the excitation of a beam-plasma discharge is found to increase with accelerating voltage and gas pressure.     

Inhomogeneous extended hollow cathode discharge for raising the current density in a forevacuum plasma source of a ribbon electron beam

The plasma parameters and the emissivity of a ribbon electron beam source based on a discharge with an inhomogeneous extended hollow cathode are measured. A constriction in the cathode cavity increases the plasma density near the emitting area boundary, which adds to the electron current density in the beam. The reason for the above effect is the formation of the plasma density distribution nonuniform across the cavity with a maximum in the middle. This maximum is caused primarily by a plasma electron flow from the constriction, which is generated by the electric field and is directed toward a slit emission-extracting aperture.     

Influence of the hollow cathode dimensions on the electron beamcurrent in a pseudospark discharge

Investigations on the electron beam current of a free running pseudospark discharge are presented. A single gap system with hollow cathodes of different dimensions is used. The filling gases are argon and helium. The electron beam signal consists of a first pulse with currents of several hundreds of mA and a main pulse with currents up to 20 A. A variation of length and diameter of the hollow cathode significantly influences the pressure range in which a free running pseudospark discharge exists and the peak current of both electron beam pulses. Plasma formation and electron beam generation are studied by high speed photography. The experimental results give some information on the discharge mechanisms that is integrated in a qualitative model of the pseudospark discharge     

Generation of a pulsed high-current low-energy beam in a plasma electron source with a self-heated cathode

The transition of a low-current discharge with a self-heated hollow cathode to a high-current discharge is studied, and stability conditions for the latter in the pulsed–periodic mode with a current of 0.1–1.0 kA, pulse width of 0.1–1.0 ms, and a pulse repetition rate of 0.1–1.0 kHz are determined. The thermal conditions of the hollow cathode are analyzed, and the conclusion is drawn that the emission current high density is due to pulsed self-heating of the cathode’s surface layer. Conditions for stable emission from a plasma cathode with a grid acting as a plasma boundary using such a discharge are found at low accelerating voltage (100–200 eV) and a gas pressure of 0.1–0.4 Pa. The density of the ion current from a plasma generated by a pulsed beam with a current of 100 A is found to reach 0.1 A/cm². Probe diagnostics data for the emitting and beam plasmas in the electron source are presented, and a mechanism behind the instability of electron emission from the plasma is suggested on their basis.     

The Radio Frequency Hollow Cathode Discharge Induced by the RF Discharge in the Plasma‐Jet Chemical Reactor

In the recent decade an RF driven, low‐pressure plasma reactor with supersonic plasma jet was developed (RPJ). This reactor was successfully used for deposition of thin films of various materials. The deposition of thin films indicates that the properties of the deposited films are dependent on the sputtering or reactive sputtering processes appearing inside the nozzle (hollow athode). The nozzle (hollow athode) fabricated of different kinds of materials and alloys works both as a cathode of the radio frequency (RF) hollow cathode discharge and as a nozzle for plasma jet channel generation as well. The RF hollow cathode discharge is a secondary discharge, which is induced by the primary RF plasma generated in the reactor chamber. The present paper deals with the experimental study of this RF hollow cathode discharge. The stress is laid on the investigation of the axial distribution of discharge parameters and sputtering processes inside the nozzle. On the base of experiments, the simple model of the axial distribution of the investigated RF hollow cathode discharge has been developed.     

Plasma localization in an extended hollow cathode of the plasma source of a ribbon electron beam

The plasma density distributions in the slit aperture of the extended rectangular hollow cathode of the source of a ribbon electron beam are investigated experimentally. It is found that a local maximum whose parameters are determined by the discharge current appears in the density distribution when the slot width is less than a certain threshold value. This maximum results in an inhomogeneous current density distribution in the beam. It is shown that the appearance of the local maximum in the plasma density is related to the overlapping of the ion sheaths in the slit aperture of the hollow cathode.     

Predicted emittance and brightness of the pseudospark electron-beam

The emittance and brightness of the electron beam generated during the hollow cathode phase of pseudospark operation are calculated using the two-dimensional hybrid fluid-particle model previously developed to study the time and space development of the plasma in a pseudospark discharge. Two distinct energy components exist in the electron beam; a high-energy component with an energy equivalent to the full discharge voltage and another, broad, low-energy component. In the 100 ns following breakdown and for the conditions of the calculations, the emittance of the high energy component decreases by an order of magnitude and the brightness of the high energy component reaches almost 10¹⁰ A/m² rad². This work demonstrates the feasibility of using the model to guide the optimization of the pseudospark electron beam properties and shows that the optimum beam properties are achieved after the plasma has filled the hollow cathode and begun to expand radially in the main gap     

假火花开关初始放电过程的理论计算

假火花开关具有耐压高、放电电流大及电流上升速率快的优点。本文利用流体模型及当地场近似，对其放电过程进行了理论计算。结果表明，在放电初始阶段，空心阴极效应起关键作用。同时，对不同初始条件（初始电子、离子密度不同）及不同边界条件（开关结构尺寸不同）的放电过程进行了计算。给出了放电时间、放电电流、最佳阴阳极距离和阴极孔尺寸大小。     

Experimental data on the initiation of a pseudospark discharge

In connection with the development of a pseudospark switch for copper vapor lasers, several long endurance tests at repetition rates between 50 Hz and 7 kHz have been performed during the past years. These tests give some clues to the basic phenomena that are involved in the current build-up of a pseudospark discharge, especially as concerns the interaction of gas and surface effects. According to these results, current flow is initiated by a glow discharge in such a way that the positive column penetrates into the hollow cathode; forming a virtual anode. When the current reaches a threshold value <100 A, the electric field produced in the cathode fall of the glow discharge is sufficient for the formation of cathode spots in the cathode backspace. The spots act as electron emitters and carry the discharge current up to approximately 1 kA, where large area emission processes at the front side of the cathode might become important     

小型空心阴极等离子体电子枪实验

基于空心阴极效应和低压辉光放电原理,设计了一种小型空心阴极等离子体电子枪并进行了实验研究,在低气压下获得了稳定的空心阴极辉光放电,测量电子枪放电结果表明:在空心阴极中加入灯丝热子可明显降低放电气压;电子束电流的大小随放电电压增大而增大,受气体气压影响较小;在气压2Pa,放电电压10kV,脉宽4μs脉冲下放电,可得到脉宽为2μs,电流为600mA的电子束。     

Measurements on electron beams in pulsed hollow-cathode discharges

Two different regimes of electron beams have been reported in the pulsed hollow cathode discharge-a low-current, high-energy beam, and a relatively high-current beam of low energy. The high-energy beam is related to the hollow cathode geometry and is found to be present even in the absence of subsequent gas breakdown, while the low-energy beam is always associated with voltage breakdown. Detailed measurements of the spatial and temporal distribution of the electron beam transported beyond a semitransparent anode associated with gas breakdown are reported. In particular, a high-energy component is observed after electrical breakdown. Low-energy electron beams are observed to be transported beyond the anode throughout the main discharge period     

氮气火花开关击穿机制的理论和数值研究

三电极气体火花开关带有触发极,相比两电极开关,其开关导通的可控性较高,工作电压较低且抖动小,所以气体火花开关中三电极开关的应用较为广泛.本文针对大气压氮气环境下的两电极开关和三电极开关的击穿机制进行了理论与数值模拟研究.通过理论和数值计算发现,对于平板-平板的两电极开关来说,低电压下(小于6.3 kV)无法产生流注击穿,高电压下(大于6.3 kV)会先形成由阴极到阳极的负流注,然后再形成由阳极向阴极的正流注.而在三电极开关的击穿过程中,首先会在触发极和绝缘体之间发生击穿,然后这个通道不断向阴阳极扩展,最终形成阴阳极之间的电弧通道.在本文的计算工况下,如果需要阴极-触发极、阳极-触发极同时击穿的话,其阴极-触发极之间的外加电压需要大于1.18 kV,而阳极-触发极之间的外加电压需要大于3 kV.当考虑触发极的场致发射后,该击穿阈值可以显著降低.     

假火花开关初始放电过程的理论计算

假火花开关具有耐压高、放电电流大及电流上升速率快的优点。本文利用流体模型及当地场近似,对其放电过程进行了理论计算。结果表明,在放电初始阶段,空心阴极效应起关键作用。同时,对不同初始条件（初始电子、离子密度不同）及不同边界条件（开关结构尺寸不同）的放电过程进行了计算。给出了放电时间、放电电流、最佳阴阳极距离和阴极孔尺寸大小。