Gas-filled electron diode based on a glow discharge

Stable ignition and sustention of a pulsed discharge with a current of up to 180 A and duration of 12 μs at a pressure of 10⁻¹–10⁻² Pa are achieved in a glow-discharge plasma cathode with the help of an auxiliary initiating discharge. An electron emission current density of up to 100 A/cm² and accelerating voltageof 15 kV are obtained in a gas-filled diode based on this type of a plasma cathode. An electron beam witha neutralized space charge can be transported almost without losses in a weak axial magnetic field alonga plasma channel formed due to the gas ionization by the accelerated electrons over a distance of up to 30 cm.     

Emission characteristics of a glow discharge plasma based on a mixture of helium with chlorine molecules

We present the results of a study of the emission characteristics of a longitudinal glow discharge based on a mixture of helium and chlorine. Study of the emission characteristics of the discharge showed that it emits most efficiently in the bands of the chlorine molecule with maxima at 200 nm and 258 nm in an He-Cl₂ mixture (P = 0.2–0.3 kPa). We present the optimization of the average emission power of a UV emitter as a function of the glow discharge parameters, the pressure, and the composition of the working gas mixture. Based on solution of the Boltzmann equation for the electron energy distribution function in a discharge based on the optimal mixture (according to experimental data), we calculated the power losses per unit pressure going toward elementary processes, the electron transport characteristics, the ionization and attachment coefficients as a function of the parameter E/P. The calculated parameters of the plasma for the UV emitter allowed us to provide a basis for the qualitative pattern of physicochemical processes in the studied plasma. __________ Translated from Zhurnal Prikladnoi Spektroskopii, Vol. 75, No. 1, pp. 121–124, January–February, 2008.     

Emission characteristics of the cathode region of nanosecond discharge in atmospheric-pressure air

The emission spectra of a nanosecond discharge between copper electrodes in atmospheric-pressure air are studied at a high discharge gap overvoltage. The discharge was ignited between two cylindrical electrodes with a small radius of curvature of the working surface. Oscillograms of radiation pulses of spectral lines of copper atoms are also studied. The electron temperature averaged over the pulse is determined from the intensity distributions of the spectral lines of copper atoms.     

Distribution of plasma parameters in the cathode region of a glow discharge in nitrogen

The experiments with a low-pressure glow discharge in nitrogen indicate the formation of a potential well for thermal electrons and the sign reversal of the electric field near the concentration maximum of the near-cathode plasma. Depending on reduced discharge length pL, one or two field reversal points exist, which correlate with the sign of the anode fall (negative or positive, respectively).     

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采用蒙特卡罗模型对氮空心阴极放电等离子体鞘层离子(N2 、N )的输运过程进行了模拟研究,计算了阴极鞘层中氮离子(N2 、N )的能量及角分布的空间变化和粒子密度及平均能量随放电参数的变化规律。研究结果表明:空心阴极放电产生的氮离子,在鞘层输运过程中,N2 是密度几乎不变的低能粒子;N 是密度逐渐减少的高能粒子。随着电压增加,N 密度减小,平均能量增加;N2 密度和平均能量变化不明显。能量及入射角的相对分布规律与平板电极氮直流辉光放电基本类似,但圆筒空心阴极放电更有利于氮离子的产生。     

Determination of electron density and energy influx in a hollow cathode glow discharge used for powder modification

The electron density and energy influx in an argon hollow cathode glow discharge were determined to obtain adequate parameters for subsequent surface modification of low density polyethylene (LDPE) powder to change the wettability. The electron density was studied by Langmuir probe measurement in dependence on process gas pressure and hollow cathode material. Besides the determination of the rate of increasing electron density with input power an optimal experimental pressure was determined. The energy influx was studied by thermal probe measurements in dependence on process gas pressure, bias voltage, axial position and hollow cathode material. Inside the hollow cathode the energy influx is nearly constant along the whole cathode length. With increasing pressure the energy influx decreased. At biased thermal probe the energy influx was observed to decrease up to the floating potential and beyond it increases with increasing voltage. Using different hollow cathode materials the electron density as well as the energy influx reach higher values for aluminum than for copper and stainless steel.     

Controlled propagation of a glow discharge along a divided cathode

Conclusions With the gas-discharge device used, propagation of a glow discharge along a divided cathode, making use of -processes, is a quite reliable and well-reproducible process.Neighboring discharge gaps are reliably isolated when there is a positive potential on the controlled electrode, and reliably connected when this potential is negative.The shape of the discharge gap and the effective role of the control electrode combine to shorten the discharge-formation time and the discharge-gap deionization time.As the discharge travels in our device, there is a bright, linear optical trace (see Fig. 2). This method of glow-discharge propagation can find widespread, effective application in cold-cathode gas-discharge devices for signal conversion in pulse equipment.     

High-voltage pulsed discharge in an electron source with a plasma cathode

The nature of and mechanism for producing a high-voltage discharge in an electron source with a plasma cathode are investigated. The possibility of generating pulsed electron currents with an amplitude of 10³–10⁴ A and a length of 10^–6 sec is considered.Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika, No. 10, pp. 117–121, October, 1973.The authors thank B. M. Koval'chuk for help in developing the experimental arrangement and G. A. Mesyates for constant attention to the work and discussion of the results.     

Emission by nitrogen in a high-pressure glow discharge

Relative intensities are reported for the emission spectrum of N₂ in a glow discharge. The bands of the first and second positive systems were studied at pressures between 10 and 100 mm Hg. Pressure reduces the intensity of the first system more rapidly than that of the second: this may be due to quenching of the B³II state.     

Transients and efficient generation of electron beams in the pulsed wide-aperture glow discharge

The quasi-continuous wide-aperture glow discharge in helium at pressures from 1.2 to 6.0 Torr is studied. It is found that electron beam generation efficiency η is higher than 96% in the pressure range 1.2–3.0 Torr at voltages from 1.0 to 2.6 kV. The maximum power was ≈ 0 kW at 6 Torr and a voltage across the discharge gap of 2.6 kV. Under these conditions, the beam generation efficiency is about 80%. The pressure and voltage dependences of main parameters of the discharge are explained from the standpoint of its photoemission nature.     

Initiation of a low-pressure glow discharge in a plasma electron source with a ribbon beam

Results are presented from an experimental investigation of a low-pressure glow discharge with a wedge-shaped hollow cathode in a plasma electron source, where this discharge is initiated by reflex and magnetron discharges. Zh. Tekh. Fiz. 69, 135–137 (July 1999)     

具有空心阴极放电特征的射频放电的两电子组模型

运用两电子组模型,考虑了射频放电中的α过程和γ过程两种电离机制,并结合流体模型,研究了中等气压下窄电极间隙容性耦合射频放电在运行模式转变区的等离子体密度以及电离速率分布等特性。理论研究表明,γ电离过程在高电流模式运行中起主要作用,并证实了此类放电中存在显著的电子摆钟效应,具有类似于空心阴极放电的特征。     

具有空心阴极放电特征的射频放电的两电子组模型

 运用两电子组模型，考虑了射频放电中的α过程和γ过程两种电离机制，并结合流体模型，研究了中等气压下窄电极间隙容性耦合射频放电在运行模式转变区的等离子体密度以及电离速率分布等特性。理论研究表明，γ电离过程在高电流模式运行中起主要作用，并证实了此类放电中存在显著的电子摆钟效应，具有类似于空心阴极放电的特征。     

Non-local model of hollow cathode and glow discharge

A general form of the non-local equation for an ionization source in glow discharge and hollow cathode 3D-simulation is formulated. It is a fundamental equation in hollow cathode theory, which allows formulation of a complete set of field equations for a self-consistent problem in a stationary glow discharge and hollow cathode. It enables us to describe the region of negative glow and the hollow cathode effect and compare calculation results of electrical dependencies (pressure-voltage) with experimental data, – under conditions of gradual appearance of the hollow cathode effect.     

Generation of high-current electron beams by a hollow cathode with a ferroelectric plasma source

This paper presents results and analysis of an experimental investigation of the operation of a hollow cathode (HC) with an incorporated ferroelectric plasma source (FPS). It was shown that the use of FPS based on a BaTi solid solution allows one to ignite and to sustain a 10²-10³ A HC discharge with duration of 10^-3-10^-5 s at background pressure of 5 x 10^-3 Pa while keeping the HC design with small dimensions. It was found that the development of the HC discharge is accompanied by formation at the surface of the FPS of dense plasma which serves as a powerful (hundreds of kW) pulsed source of current carrying electrons. Parameters of the HC plasma (radial distribution of the plasma density and temperature and plasma potential) for different discharge current amplitudes and two types of FPS are presented. Application of the FPS as an electron source in a diode under an accelerating pulse 300 kV and pulse duration 400 ns showed that the latter operates in a plasma pre-filled mode with a current amplitude up to 1.6 kA. Parameters of the diode and electron beam for different experimental conditions are presented and discussed.Received: 10 April 2003, Published online: 12 August 2003PACS: 52.50.Dg Plasma sources - 29.25.Bx Electron sources - 52.25.Tx Emission, absorption, and scattering of particles     

Effect of negative glow on the elementary processes occurring in the cathode region of a glow discharge

The role of the negative glow in producing charge carriers and the effect of this region on the elementary processes occurring in the region of cathode potential drop between plane parallel electrodes is considered in this paper.An estimate of the value of positive ion current passing to the cathode from the negative glow is made for nickel, copper, iron, and aluminum cathodes in hydrogen, and for an iron cathode in argon neon, and helium at 1 mm Hg pressure.Based on the values obtained for the ion current in the Crookes dark space, the electric field intensity and potential distributions are calculated and found to be in satisfactory agreement with the experimental data.     

A model of the cathode spot glow discharge for a cathode withinclusions of low work function material

A model that describes the self-maintained glow discharge for a composite cathode in which cathode spots are formed on low work function material inclusions is presented. Based on this model, expressions are obtained for the radius of the spot, the cathode voltage, and the spot current as functions of Pd (where P is the gas pressure and d is the thickness of the cathode layer), the parameters of the inclusions, and the basic material matrix are obtained. Numerical results for the case of a glow discharge in 75 torr neon gas with a copper cathode matrix and inclusions of LaB₆ are presented. The average radii of inclusions were 0.05 and 0.015 mm. Conditions under which the glow discharge migrates from the inclusions and begins to spread onto the surface of the basic matrix are obtained. The transition of the glow discharge into a contracted state, depending on the structure of the composite material, is also considered     

A simple model of a glow discharge electron beam for materialsprocessing

A simple semiempirical model of the electron beam generated by a pulsed cold cathode electron gun has been developed. The model describes analytically the observed self-focusing of the discharge and predicts the dynamical variation of the focal distance, in good agreement with experiments. This effect plays a major role in the determination of the effective duration of the energy pulse. The model was used to conduct simple calculations of energy thresholds for melting of solid materials, giving helpful insight on ranges of operation of this kind of electron gun for its application to material processing. A comparison with available experimental data for Mg₇₀Zn₃₀ samples is given