Study of mechanism of anode layer instability of the discharge in transverse magnetic field

Abstract

The macroscopic stability of anode layer of low pressure discharge in cross magnetic field was theoretically and experimental(ly) investigated. It is shown that with injection of primary electrons into cathode area the discharge is unstable. The discharge current has impulse character and is provided by periodic transiting of a discharge gap by an electron bunch (layer). The amount of electrons in a layer is determined by a current value of electrostatic potential difference on a space charge of a layer, and speed – by classical mobility of electrons across magnetic field. The moving electron layer is a non-stationary source of electrons and ions, which travel on the cathode of discharge system. The instability results in strong modulation of discharge parameters and appearance of features on stationary current characteristics. Theoretical results that obtained are in a good agreement with experimental data.