Extinguishing by {open_quotes}slow quenching{close_quote}{close_quote} in a thick grid Cs{endash}Ba tacitron

Journal Article · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1997 · Journal of Applied Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.364128· OSTI ID:435094

Wernsman, B; El-Genk, M S ^[1]

---

1. Institute for Space and Nuclear Power Studies, Chemical and Nuclear Engineering Department, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131 (United States)

Transient Langmuir probe measurements of the plasma density, electron temperature, and plasma potential during {open_quotes}slow quenching{close_quote}{close_quote} of a Cs{endash}Ba tacitron at two different discharge conditions were made. Following the application of a negative voltage pulse on the grid, the grid aperture sheaths initially grew then shrank temporarily, due to an increase in the ion flux from the grid-collector region, then grew again until the discharge eventually extinguished. Discharge extinguishing occurred when the effective ionization cross section became decoupled from the continually rising electron temperature; hence, the discharge could not be maintained owing to the decrease in the ionization rate. This inability to maintain the discharge is considered the mechanism for extinguishing by slow quenching. {copyright} {ital 1997 American Institute of Physics.}

• OSTI ID: 435094
• Journal Information: Journal of Applied Physics, Journal Name: Journal of Applied Physics Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 81; ISSN JAPIAU; ISSN 0021-8979
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
BARIUM
CATHODES
CESIUM
ELECTRIC DISCHARGES
ELECTRON TEMPERATURE
IONIZATION
LANGMUIR PROBE
PLASMA DENSITY
PLASMA DIAGNOSTICS
PLASMA POTENTIAL
PLASMA SWITCHES