High efficiency emission mechanisms in hot cathode low pressure discharges†

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Abstract
This paper discusses cathode processes in a hydrogen filled thyratron containing a thermionic cathode surrounded by a shield at cathode potential. Probe measurements show that the shield is negative relative to the plasma, and collects positive ions which account for the major part of the current flow through the device. A high density plasma is produced by a secondary emission process combined with a hollow cathode amplification, and this enables the passage of currents at least an order higher in magnitude than can be obtained from the thermionic cathode in the absence of the shield.
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