Gas-discharge starting of hollow cathode operation in self-heating mode

The conditions of a gas-discharge starting of the massive metal cathode with remote anode at small gas flows (Ar, 20-100 sccm) through the cathode cavity have been investigated. Optimization of geometry of the arc-discharge electrodes and the use of repetitively-pulsed power input mode (1 kW) during starting of the cathode provide reliable ignition of a glow discharge, accelerated starting of the cathode in distributed thermal emission mode (10 A, 15-20 s), reduction of energy and frequency of local cathode spots during starting process. (paper)