Abstract
We have investigated the ablation of tungsten atoms during coldignition of a pulsed low-pressure argon discharge by means of laser inducedfluorescence. Temporally and spatially resolved absolute tungsten densities infront of the cathode have been measured yielding a peak density of2.5×109 cm-3. From model calculations we find that duringignition about NW≈8×107 of tungsten atoms are released from aspot-like region of the cathode surface with a mean velocity ofvW≈330 m s-1. The discharge mainly attaches thecathode wire closely to the ends, where it is not covered with barium oxideemitter material, in contrast to the middle part. Thus, cold ignition leads toa destruction of the cathode as a consequence of repeated ablation of tungstenatoms adjacent to the ends.
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