Paper
Electrochemical Mechanism of Electron Emission in Zirconium Cathodes
- Authors:
- S. N. Kharin
- Abstract
- The mechanism of thermionic emission from the cathode surface based on Richardson-Dushman equation is corrected by addition of another emission mechanism due to electrochemical phenomena in melted pool on the cathode. It is important for thermo-chemical cathodes based on such materials as copper, zirconium, hafnium and their alloys. Mathematical model describing phenomena in opening electrical contacts takes into account ion bombardment of cathode, arc column radiation, heat conduction inside contacts, inverse electrons etc. The new element of this model is the component of electron current caused by oxidation-reduction phenomena on melted electrode surface. It is possible in the frame of this model to explain decreasing of work function and measured values of contact erosion. Results of calculations using new model are compared with data presented in the book R. Holm “Electric Contacts” as well as with other experimental data.
- Keywords
- Thermochemical Cathodes; Electric Arc Phenomena; Mathematical Modeling
- StartPage
- 25
- EndPage
- 32
- Doi