A SIMPLE-MODEL FOR CATHODIC ELECTRONIC EMISSION ENHANCED BY LOW-ENERGY IONS IN HIGH-PRESSURE ARCS

The influence of slow ions on the electronic emission of a cathode in a high-pressure electric are is investigated. As a first approach, a s imple model is introduced, where solving the stationary Schrodinger eq uation is reduced to integrating a one-dimensional second-order differ ential equation. We have found that the electronic current may be enha nced through two mechanisms: a non-resonant process related to the low ering of the potential barrier and a resonant mechanism involving boun d states of the ions. The non-resonant process is found to be dominant . The influence of various parameters such as ionic density, cathode t emperature and charge states of the ions on amplification coefficients is analysed.