Physics and Applications of Pseudosparks

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-x

   PDF

2. Devices and Related Properties

   1. The Properties of the Pseudospark Discharge

      • J. Christiansen

      Pages 1-13

   2. Review of Superdense Glow Discharge

      • Klaus Frank

      Pages 15-54

   3. Basic Mechanisms Contributing to the Hollow Cathode Effect

      • G. Schaefer, K. H. Schoenbach

      Pages 55-76

   4. Cathode-Related Processes in High-Current Density, Low Pressure Glow Discharges

      • Werner Hartmann, M. A. Gundersen

      Pages 77-88

   5. Comparison of Electrode Effects in High-Pressure and Low-Pressure Gas Discharges Like Spark-Gap and Pseudo-Spark Switch

      • J. Christiansen, K. Frank, W. Hartmann, C. Kozlik, W. Krauss-Vogt, R. Michal

      Pages 89-107

3. Experimental Review

   1. Mapping and Modeling of the Cathode Fall and Negative Glow Regions

      • J. E. Lawler, E. A. Den Hartog, W. N. G. Hitchon, T. R. O’Brian, T. J. Sommerer

      Pages 109-131

   2. Emission Spectroscopy in Optically Thick Gas Discharges

      • Dimitrios Karabourniotis

      Pages 133-153

   3. An Analysis of the High Current Glow Discharge Operation of the BLT Switch

      • G. Kirkman-Amemiya, R. L. Liou, T. Y. Hsu, M. A. Gundersen

      Pages 155-165

   4. Laser-Induced Fluorescence Measurements of Number Densities of Neutral and Ionized Metal Atoms

      • Günter Lins

      Pages 167-183

   5. Streamers in Atmospheric Pressure N2: Empirical Results

      • P. F. Williams, F. E. Peterkin

      Pages 185-195

4. Theoretical Modeling

   1. The Solution of the Continuity Equations in Ionization and Plasma Growth

      • A. J. Davies, W. Niessen

      Pages 197-217

   2. Scaling Parameters for Optically Triggered Hollow Cathode Switches Obtained by Computer Simulation

      • Hoyoung Pak, Mark J. Kushner

      Pages 219-232

   3. A Physical Model of Prebreakdown in the Hollow Cathode Pseudospark Discharge Based on Numerical Simulations

      • Karl Mittag

      Pages 233-254

   4. Self-Consistent Models of DC and Transient Glow Discharges

      • J. P. Boeuf

      Pages 255-275

   5. Weak Collisions in Strong Double Layers

      • H. Schamel, P. Hatjiimanolaki, P. Nicoletopoulos

      Pages 277-292

   6. The Effect of Pendel Electrons on Breakdown and Sustainment of a Hollow Cathode Discharge

      • K. H. Schoenbach, L. L. Vahala, G. A. Gerdin, N. Homayoun, F. Loke, G. Schaefer

      Pages 293-301

   7. A Two-Electron-Group Model for a High Current Pseudospark or Back-Lighted Thyratron Plasma

      • H. Bauer, G. Kirkman, M. A. Gundersen

      Pages 303-317

   8. Electron Ionization Rate Coefficients at Very High E/N

      • L. C. Pitchford

      Pages 319-329

5. New Applications

   1. Plasma-Based Device Concepts Based on the Pseudospark and BLT

      • Martin A. Gundersen

      Pages 331-341

The purpose of the 1989 NATO ARW was to develop applications, and an improved understanding of the physics for high current emission and conduction observed in hollow cathode-hollow anode switches including the pseudo spark and BLT. New applications include highly emissive cathodes for microwave devices, accelerators and free electron lasers, high power tubes, electron and ion beams, microlithography, accelerators, and other plasma devices. Recent research has produced a new generation of gas-phase plasma switches that are characterized by very high current emission and conduction while operating in a glow mode. These switches include the pseudospark and the BLT, both of which have hollow electrodes, switch over 10 to 100 kA peak current, and have cathodes with emission ~ 2 2 10,000 Ncm over ~ 1 cm area. The cathode properties are especially remarkable - about 2 orders of magnitude larger emission than existing thermionic cathodes. Part of the meeting was devoted to understanding these properties, and exploiting applications of this cathode. The remarkable properties of these switches are very surprising in the light of considerable previous work in this area, and these results deserve study in order to understand the underlying physical mechanisms, and to develop ideas and insight into future applications, and foster coherent research in this area. The operating cycle of pseudo-spark and BL T switches and related devices can be divided into four phases: hold-off, triggering, conduction, and recovery. There was very little discussion of the hold-off and recovery phases.

• Anode
• Phase
• electron
• laser
• microwave
• physics
• plasma

• University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA

  Martin A. Gundersen

• Late of Polytechnic University, Farmingdale, USA

  Gerhard Schaefer

Policies and ethics