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Title: Application of electron-beam ionized discharges to switches - a comparison of experiment with theory

Abstract

A theoretical investigation of high-pressure discharges ionized by an external electron beam (e-beam) was conducted. Only when secondary emission from the cathode and electron-impact ionization of metastable states were included in the analysis did calculated current-voltage (I-V) characteristics for argon and methane discharges compare well with experimental data. The I-V characteristics obtained reveal a sharp rise in the current at a certain threshold voltage. This threshold voltage and the entire I-V characteristic are shifted to lower voltages when metastable ionization is significant. Below the threshold voltage and at low external ionization source strengths, a region of negative differential conductivity is obtained. In the high-current region, the I-V slope is controlled by the secondary emission coefficient. The additional cathode sheath ionization from secondary emission and ionization from metastable states significantly reduces the discharge voltage. This important effect can be used to reduce e-beam switch losses and increase lifetime through judicious gas mixture selection and proper cathode conditioning.

Authors:
; ;
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433
OSTI Identifier:
5915838
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
IEEE Trans. Plasma Sci.; (United States)
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 10:4
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
42 ENGINEERING; 71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSICS; ELECTRIC DISCHARGES; IONIZATION; SWITCHES; SERVICE LIFE; ARGON; CATHODES; ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY; ELECTRIC POTENTIAL; ELECTRON BEAMS; EXPERIMENTAL DATA; GAS DISCHARGE TUBES; GAS LASERS; HIGH PRESSURE; LOSSES; METASTABLE STATES; METHANE; SECONDARY EMISSION; THEORETICAL DATA; THRESHOLD CURRENT; ALKANES; BEAMS; CURRENTS; DATA; ELECTRIC CURRENTS; ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT; ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES; ELECTRODES; ELECTRON TUBES; ELEMENTS; EMISSION; ENERGY LEVELS; EQUIPMENT; EXCITED STATES; FLUIDS; GASES; HYDROCARBONS; INFORMATION; LASERS; LEPTON BEAMS; NONMETALS; NUMERICAL DATA; ORGANIC COMPOUNDS; PARTICLE BEAMS; PHYSICAL PROPERTIES; RARE GASES; 420800* - Engineering- Electronic Circuits & Devices- (-1989); 640301 - Atomic, Molecular & Chemical Physics- Beams & their Reactions

Citation Formats

Hallada, M R, Bailey, W F, and Bletzinger, P. Application of electron-beam ionized discharges to switches - a comparison of experiment with theory. United States: N. p., 1982. Web. doi:10.1109/TPS.1982.4316179.
Hallada, M R, Bailey, W F, & Bletzinger, P. Application of electron-beam ionized discharges to switches - a comparison of experiment with theory. United States. https://doi.org/10.1109/TPS.1982.4316179
Hallada, M R, Bailey, W F, and Bletzinger, P. 1982. "Application of electron-beam ionized discharges to switches - a comparison of experiment with theory". United States. https://doi.org/10.1109/TPS.1982.4316179.
@article{osti_5915838,
title = {Application of electron-beam ionized discharges to switches - a comparison of experiment with theory},
author = {Hallada, M R and Bailey, W F and Bletzinger, P},
abstractNote = {A theoretical investigation of high-pressure discharges ionized by an external electron beam (e-beam) was conducted. Only when secondary emission from the cathode and electron-impact ionization of metastable states were included in the analysis did calculated current-voltage (I-V) characteristics for argon and methane discharges compare well with experimental data. The I-V characteristics obtained reveal a sharp rise in the current at a certain threshold voltage. This threshold voltage and the entire I-V characteristic are shifted to lower voltages when metastable ionization is significant. Below the threshold voltage and at low external ionization source strengths, a region of negative differential conductivity is obtained. In the high-current region, the I-V slope is controlled by the secondary emission coefficient. The additional cathode sheath ionization from secondary emission and ionization from metastable states significantly reduces the discharge voltage. This important effect can be used to reduce e-beam switch losses and increase lifetime through judicious gas mixture selection and proper cathode conditioning.},
doi = {10.1109/TPS.1982.4316179},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/5915838}, journal = {IEEE Trans. Plasma Sci.; (United States)},
number = ,
volume = 10:4,
place = {United States},
year = {Wed Dec 01 00:00:00 EST 1982},
month = {Wed Dec 01 00:00:00 EST 1982}
}