Time studies of ionization processes

Abstract

Measurements of the temporal growth of ionization between parallel plane electrodes in hydrogen have been made. The results show that for low values (∼40 V/cm mm Hg) of the ratio of electric fieldE to gas pressurep the growth times can be short (≤1 μs for over-voltages ΔV∼1%) while at values ofE/p∼300 V/cm mm Hg the times are of the order of milli seconds with ΔV∼5%. Comparison of the experimental data with Davidson's mathematical analysis of current growth based upon the action of primary and secondary ionization processes shows that the relative significance of the possible secondary processes changes asE/p is altered. For the low values ofE/p, the predominant secondary process contributing to the growth was found to be photoelectric emission from the cathode, but with increasing values ofE/p the role of positive ion interaction with the cathode becomes increasingly important. No single secondary process was exclusively operating in any of the conditions examined.