Secondary Ionization Mechanisms in an E × B Discharge in Hydrogen

Abstract

A study of the secondary ionization mechanisms operative in an Ex B Townsend discharge in hydrogen has been made by investigating the formative time lag to electrical breakdown in such discharges. Comparison of the experimental data with predictions from a theoretical model enables the secondary mechanisms to be distinguished and their separate contributions to be estimated. The results so obtained are compared with those derived from the equivalent pressure concept.