Discussion on Hollow Cathode Effect Based on Cathode Fall Theory.

Lithium-Fed Hollow Cathode Theory

A theory for the single-channel hollow cathode (SCHC) that includes the relevant physical processes and predicts the operating parameters is presented. A SCHC consists of a cylindrical channel approximately ten diameters in length through which a working gas (taken as lithium vapor here) flows and exits as a plasma. A high current (1-100 A) is conducted into the channel by the plasma and to the...

The effect of cathode geometry on barium transport in hollow cathode plasmas

Articles you may be interested in Oxygen transport in the internal xenon plasma of a dispenser hollow cathode The effect of barium transport on the operation of dispenser hollow cathodes was investigated in numerical modeling of a cathode with two different orifice sizes. Despite large differences in cathode emitter temperature, emitted electron current density, internal xenon neutral and plasm...

Pressure effect on a tandem hollow cathode discharge in argon

Hollow Cathode Discharge Initiation and Fast Starting Cathode

Conditioning of the insert inside a hollow cathode is believed to be important to ensure reliable discharge initiation and subsequent cathode operation. The desorption of contaminates is reported from hollow cathodes as a function of heater power to quantify cathode conditioning characteristics and identify factors that might prevent the fast initiation of a discharge. In addition to conditioni...

Low-Current Hollow Cathode Evaluation

An experimental investigation of the operating characteristics of 3.2 mm diameter orificed hollow cathodes was conducted to examine low-current and low flow rate operation. Cathode power was minimized with low orifice aspect ratio and the use of an enclosed keeper. Cathode flow rate requirements were proportional to orifice diameter and the inverse of the orifice length. Cathode temperature pro...