Formation of the Cathode-Fall Region in a Pulsed Glow Discharge

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Abstract
Results are presented of an experimental and theoretical study of the formation of the cathode-fall region of a pulsed glow discharge in hydrogen at large overvoltages. The calculations are based upon a Townsend avalanche model that takes explicit account of space charge. Both the experimental data and theoretical results give a minimum delay of about 35 nsec for the start of the formation of the cathode-fall region of the discharge. Profiles of the electric field as a function of time at the face of the cathode are given and calculated profiles of the number density of free electrons are compared with experimentally measured intensity profiles. In both cases there is good agreement between theory and experiment. Since the model used accounts for the observed features of the high-current pulsed discharge, there is no apparent need to invoke any other mechanism to account for the propagating luminous fronts and the short formative times of the cathode-fall region.

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