Optical and Electrical Characteristics of the Cathode Fall
Abstract
Experiments with hydrogen discharges dominated by the cathode fall show that (a) these discharges are unstable for wide ranges of current and circuit resistance, (b) increasing the circuit capacitance expanded the region of instabilities to lower currents, (c) lateral constrictions of the discharge occur over a much more limited range of currents and pressures than do oscillations, (d) laser-induced photoelectron pulses produce damped oscillations for discharge currents below those at which self-sustained oscillations are observed, (e) the frequency of the induced oscillations varies approximately as the square root of the discharge current, and (f) the damping of the oscillations increases with discharge current in an as yet unexplained manner. Measurements of the electronic charge multiplication at voltages below and above the breakdown or low-current-maintenance voltage showed an unexpected discontinuity at the breakdown voltage. Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Argon, Cathode fall, Discharge, Voltage-current, Oscillation, Constriction, Absorption, Charge multiplication, Inductance, Damping.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1992
- Accession Number
- ADA249010
Entities
People
- Arthur V. Phelps
- Z. Lj. Petrovic
Organizations
- JILA