Electrostatic Field Distribution and Breakdown Potential for a Hollow-electrode System in Rare Gases.

The values of the breakdown potential in both polarities of a system consisting of a 'hollow' electrode formed by two parallel discs and a coaxial surrounding cylindrical electrode are measured in terms of the variable distance between the hollow electrode plates, at 0<mid>1 mm Hg, 1 mm Hg, 2<mid>5 mm Hg and 5 mm Hg pressures in the rare gases He, Ne, A, Kr, Xe. In order to determine how far the geometrical and electrostatic field criteria may be used for explaining the polarity dependent breakdown asymmetries, one calculates the potential and field distribution of the investigated electrode system. The results agree with the hypothesis that photo-emissive secondary ionization effects are leading in the hollow-cathode discharge breakdown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]