Effect of negative shift of metalhydride cathode on the emission of H^– ions from penning discharge

On the basis of numerical calculations, the experimental results obtained by the authors in the study of the source of negative hydrogen ions of the Penning type with a metal hydride cathode are explained. It was shown that the yield of negative ions depends on the potential at the metal hydride cathode and is determined by the temperature of the plasma electrons. The dependence of this potential on the electron temperature is calculated numerically to ensure the maximum current of negative ions.