Abstract
IF a normal vacuum arc is struck between a liquid mercury cathode and a vertical thin tungsten wire anode a most unusual discharge may be obtained. The anode wire must be of such a diameter as to become red-hot when the arc has started and its lower (unsupported) end must then be lowered slowly toward the cathode pool. The tip of the hot wire makes a dimple in the liquid surface and the arc immediately transfers to within this dimple, the evolution of vapour from the cathode spot giving rise to sufficient hydrostatic pressure to prevent metallic contact from anode to cathode.
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References
Froome, K. D., Proc. Phys. Soc., B, 62, 805 (1949).
Lamar, E. S., and Compton, K. J., Phys. Rev., 37, 1069 (1931).
Gaudenzi, A., Brown Boveri Rev., 16, 303 (1929).
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FROOME, K. An 8-Volt Cold-Cathode Mercury Arc emitting Microwaves. Nature 179, 267–268 (1957). https://doi.org/10.1038/179267a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/179267a0
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