Abstract
IT is well established that arcs in gases or vapours may be maintained at voltages as low as their ionising potentials, or, in cases where cumulative ionisation is possible, as low as their radiating potentials, provided a hot cathode is used as a source of electrons to stimulate the arc. Considerable discussion has arisen over certain cases in which arcs have been maintained at still lower voltages,1 since at such voltages the electrons are known not to effect partial or complete ionisation of molecules with which they collide.
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References
Compton, Lilly and Olmstead, Phys. Rev., 4, p. 282, 1920; A. C. Davies, Proc. Roy. Soc., A, 100, p. 599, 1922.
Zeits. f. Phys. 20, p. 83, 1923.
Science, 59, p. 166, 1923.
Physica, 4, p. 42, 1924.
Gen. Elec. Rev., p. 731, Nov. 1923.
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COMPTON, K., ECKART, C. Explanation of Abnormal Low Voltage Arcs. Nature 114, 51 (1924). https://doi.org/10.1038/114051a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/114051a0
