MINIMUM ARC DISCHARGE POTENTIALS AND THE TWO FORMS OF AN ARC WITH A COLD CATHODE

Journal Article · Sat Oct 21 04:00:00 EDT 1961 · Doklady Akad. Nauk S.S.S.R.

OSTI ID:4821525

Kesaev, I G

BS>The arc discharge potentials for a stationary discharge were determined for a minimum distance between the electrodes for metals of groups I, II and HI. Low values of the minimum arc potential V/sub a/ with respect to the ionization potential of the metal V, were found for group II metals such as Zd, Cd and Hg (values of V/sub a//V( vary from 0.7 for Hg to l.22 for Cd). For group I metals (Cu, Ag, Au and Be) and group Ill metals (Al, Ga, In, and Tl) the ratio of the minimum arc potential Va to the ionization potential of the metal V, varies from 1.7 to 3.0. The arc discharge was more stable in air than in vacuum, but the deviation in the value of V/sub2.//V, as measured in air and vacuum did not exceed 20% as a rule. This difference in behavior can be explained by the difference in the atomic energy states of group lI elements as compared to group I and lII elements. Thus, the presence of metastable levels in group II metals favors the stepwise ionization of these metals by electrons. (TTT)

• Research Organization: Lenin All-Union Electrotechnical Inst., USSR
• NSA Number: NSA-16-006050
• OSTI ID: 4821525
• Journal Information: Doklady Akad. Nauk S.S.S.R., Journal Name: Doklady Akad. Nauk S.S.S.R. Vol. Vol: 140
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: Russian

Related Subjects

AIR
ALUMINUM
ATOMS
BERYLLIUM
CADMIUM
CATHODES
CONFIGURATION
COPPER
ELECTRIC ARCS
ELECTRIC DISCHARGES
ELECTRIC POTENTIAL
ELECTRONS
ENERGY LEVELS
GADOLINIUM
GOLD
INDIUM
IONIZATION
MERCURY
METALS
METASTABLE STATES
PHYSICS
SILVER
STABILITY
TELLURIUM
VACUUM
ZINC