Ecton (physics)

Ectons are explosive electron emissions observed as individual packets or avalanches of electrons, occurring as microexplosions at the cathode. The electron current in an ecton starts flowing as a result of overheating of the metal cathode because of the high energy density (104Jg−1), and stops when the emission zone cools off.

Ectons occur in plasma-involving phenomena, such as: electrical discharges in vacuum, cathode spots of vacuum arcs, volumetric discharges in gases, pseudosparks, coronas, unipolar arcs, etc.[1][2][3]

An ecton consists of individual portions of electrons (1011– 1012 particles). The formation time is of the order of nanoseconds.

See also

References
  1. Mesyats, G A (2005-04-14). "Ectons and their role in plasma processes". Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion. 47 (5A): A109–A151. doi:10.1088/0741-3335/47/5A/010. ISSN 0741-3335.
  2. Mesyats, G A (2005-05-01). "Ectons and their role in plasma processes". Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion. 47 (5A): A109–A151. doi:10.1088/0741-3335/47/5A/010. ISSN 0741-3335.
  3. Mesyats, Gennady A. (1966). Study of the generation of high-power pulses of nanosecond duration. Tomsk, Russia: Springer. p. 244. ISBN 0-306-48654-7.

Ectons and their role in plasma processes

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