The gas discharge performance in helium and nitrogen was reported. The results showed that, as the voltage increased, the discharge mechanism changed from glow discharge to arc discharge, and the helium discharge tube could work steadily for long periods and under impulses. The peak value of the discharge current was more than 120A when the pulse voltage was 2.2kV, the pulse width was 10μs and the frequency was 13.3Hz. In the discharge process, the ions could clean and activate the surfaces of the cathodes, thus reducing the work function of the cathodes and improving the discharge tube emission capability and stability.

Discharge Performance of LaB6 Cathode in Helium and Nitrogen of Low Pressure. Lin, Z.L., Chen, Z.X., Guo, J.Y., Cao, G.C., Qi, K.C.: High Power Laser and Particle Beams, 2006, 18[10], 1745-8

Figure 1

Hardness as a Function of Temperature