Über den zeitlichen Verlauf des Stromes einer Townsend-Entladung im ebenen Felde

Abstract

The transient growth of currents in a TOWNSEND gas discharge system under uniform dc field conditions is calculated by means of the theory given by AUER 1. Three cases are examined in detail: 1) The discharge is initiated by a short UV light pulse releasing a great number of electrons from the cathode. 2) The discharge is started by a single electron. 3) The discharge develops under constant external illumination producing a great number of electrons within a period of an electron transit time. Earlier experimental work is discussed on the basis of the calculated relations.