Observations of hollow cathode region plasma formation in the pre-breakdown phase of a transient hollow cathode discharge
- CEN LaReina, Santiago (Chile)
- Comision Chilena de Energia Nuclear, Santiago (Chile); and others
Plasma formation processes taking place inside the Hollow Cathode Region (HCR) are known to play an essential role in assisting ionization growth in the interelectronic space of Transient Hollow Cathode Discharges (THCD). In the prebreakdown phase, electron beams originated in the HCR plasma are known to be responsible for the initial formation of a virtual anode close to the anode electrode, which then propagates towards the cathode. Over a certain pressure range, full electric breakdown takes place when the virtual anode reaches the cathode. Here, we present preliminary observations of HCR plasma light emission, which are time correlated with the evolution of the virtual anode and the high energy electron beam activity. Over the pressure range investigated, light emission from the HCR is seen to be enhanced during the prebreakdown phase. After breakdown in the interelectrode space, light emission is seen to decrease, thus indicating a decaying plasma. These results highlight the intimate coupling existing between HCR plasma processes and ionization growth in the main gap.
- OSTI ID:
- 226883
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-950749--; CNN: Grant 3930009
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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