Abstract
FURTHER experiments on high-pressure glow-to-arc transitions using the technique described in a previous communication1 indicate that, with both tungsten and copper cathodes, transitions may be initiated by either low ionization cathode impurities or surface irregularities. It has been found that a stable glow discharge may be operated in oxygen and on either thin or thick oxide layers provided the layers are smooth; but with the same experimental conditions the presence of an irregular oxide layer was found to cause transitions. Transitions were similarly obtained with unoxidized irregular surfaces and surfaces contaminated with irregular semi-conductor layers. In all cases the transitions were observed to take place at the points of irregularity. While it is clear, for example, from the work of Llewellyn Jones2 and his collaborators, that enhanced emission is obtained from oxide surfaces, our work indicates that a more important factor affecting glow-to-arc transitions appears to be the presence of surface irregularities. An examination of the work of the many previous investigators who conclude that oxides or oxygen produce transitions shows that the transitions which they obtained may well have been produced by the presence of oxide irregularities rather than by the oxide itself. It may be concluded that such irregularities lead to an enhanced field and the consequent rapid formation of a field-emission arc.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Rent or buy this article
Prices vary by article type
from$1.95
to$39.95
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Edels, H., Nature, 172, 362 (1953).
Llewellyn Jones, F., and De La Perrelle, E. T., Proc. Roy. Soc., A, 216, 267 (1953).
Suits, C. G., J. App. Phys., 10, 648 (1939).
Fan, H. Y., Phys. Rev., 55, 769 (1939).
Bruce, C. E. R., Nature, 161, 521 (1948).
Höcker, K. H., and Finkelnburg, W., Z. Naturforsch., 1, 305 (1946).
King, L. A., Nature, 174, 1008 (1954).
Plesse, H., Ann. der Phys., 22, 473 (1935).
Mackeown, S. S., Phys. Rev., 34, 611 (1929).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
PRICE, W., GAMBLING, W. & EDELS, H. High-Pressure Glow-to-Arc Transitions with Tungsten and Copper Cathodes. Nature 176, 28–29 (1955). https://doi.org/10.1038/176028a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/176028a0
This article is cited by
-
Formation of the High-Pressure Arc Column in Hydrogen
Nature (1956)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.