Mm. Pejovic et al., EFFICIENCY OF COPPER AND GOLD CATHODE IN INITIATION OF SECONDARY-EMISSION IN NITROGEN-FILLED TUBE, Vacuum, 48(6), 1997, pp. 531-534
The efficiency of secondary electron emission induced by ions and atom
s remaining from previous discharge during the initiation of electrica
l breakdown in a nitrogen-filled tube with bulk copper and gold plated
electrodes has been investigated. This investigation was done by meas
uring the electrical breakdown time delay as a function of afterglow p
eriod tau, glow current i(g) and electrode gap d. The results show tha
t the gold plated cathode is more efficient in secondary electron emis
sion caused by nitrogen atom impact on its surface than that of bulk c
opper. This phenomenon can be explained by different adsorption abilit
y of nitrogen atoms on the copper and gold surface. (C) 1997 Published
by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.