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On the Hollow Cathode Effect Mechanism
Abstract
On basis of new results concerning the dependence of the discharge current on the intercathode spacing and the cathode fall potential, the main characteristics of the hollow cathode effect (H.C.E) in a plane-parallel geometry are defined.
In order to explain the particularities of the H.C.E., a mechanism is proposed that regards the discharge current amplifications and the enhancement of the negative glow plasma as a consequence of the plasma beam instabilities.
