Hollow cathode effect

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The hollow cathode effect allows electrical conduction at a lower voltage or with more current in a cold-cathode gas-discharge lamp when the cathode is a conductive tube open at one end than a similar lamp with a flat cathode. [1] The hollow cathode effect was recognized by Friedrich Paschen in 1916. [2]

In a hollow cathode, the electron emitting surface is in the inside of the tube. Several processes contribute to enhanced performance of a hollow cathode:

The hollow cathode effect is utilized in the electrodes for neon signs, in hollow-cathode lamps, and more.

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References

  1. 1 2 Eichhorn, H.; Schoenbach, K. H.; Tessnow, T. (1993). "Paschen's law for a hollow cathode discharge" (PDF). Applied Physics Letters. 63 (18): 2481–2483. Bibcode:1993ApPhL..63.2481E. doi:10.1063/1.110455. ISSN   0003-6951 . Retrieved June 5, 2017.
  2. Paschen, F. (1916). "Bohrs Heliumlinien". Annalen der Physik. 355 (16): 901–940. Bibcode:1916AnP...355..901P. doi:10.1002/andp.19163551603. ISSN   0003-3804.
  3. Bartlow, Robert B.; Griffin, Steven T.; Williams, J. C. (2002). "Axial evolution of the negative glow in a hollow cathode discharge". Analytical Chemistry. 64 (22): 2751–2757. doi:10.1021/ac00046a017. ISSN   0003-2700. PMID   1294005.
  4. Mavrodineanu, R. (1984). "Hollow Cathode Discharges - Analytical Applications". Journal of Research of the National Bureau of Standards. 89 (2): 143–185. doi: 10.6028/jres.089.009 . ISSN   0160-1741. PMC   6768240 . PMID   34566122.