Accession Number:

AD0607732

Title:

CATHODE PHENOMENA IN THE LOW PRESSURE MERCURY ARC.

Descriptive Note:

Final rept.,

Corporate Author:

SPACE SCIENCES INC WALTHAM MASS

Personal Author(s):

• Afshartous,S. B.
• Felsenthal,P.
• Knabe,W. E.
• Proud,J. M.
• Smith,C. G.

Report Date:

1964-09-01

Pagination or Media Count:

74.0

Abstract:

Cathode emission and retrograde motion phenomena were studied for the low pressure anchored mercury arc. Results were obtained from optical measurements of the arc spot size, its optical radiation properties, and its motion about a mercury-wetted anchor in the presence of a strong magnetic field. The shape and spectral emission of the arc column were also examined. Theories are proposed to account for the retrograde motion. A heat balance model of the arc spot is suggested to account for some of the experimental observations, and a modified thermionic emission process is proposed to account for the observed emission current density. Author

Descriptors:

• CATHODES
• ELECTRIC ARCS
• DISCHARGE TUBES
• MERCURY
• PLASMAS(PHYSICS)
• MAGNETIC FIELDS
• OPTICAL PROPERTIES
• SPECTROSCOPY
• MATHEMATICAL MODELS
• THERMIONIC EMISSION
• ELECTRONIC SWITCHES
• ION ENGINES

Subject Categories:

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE