This discussion centers on the feasibility of using a single cathode to supply electrons to multiple anodes within a tube filled with argon gas. It is established that while multiple anodes can be used, the potential difference (PD) and electric fields must be appropriately managed to prevent one anode from absorbing the majority of the current. The behavior of electrons in a plasma state is non-linear, and controlling the current distribution among anodes may require regulated voltage supplies. The breakdown voltage of argon gas is influenced by the distance between electrodes and pressure, which is critical for establishing plasma in longer tubes.
PREREQUISITESElectrical engineers, physicists, and researchers interested in plasma technology and electron behavior in gas-filled environments will benefit from this discussion.
Are you familiar with how a Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) works? In a CRT you have a single cathode emitting the electron beam, and a large anode area that the electron beam is swept over using magnetic deflection to paint the picture on the phosphur-coated anode. You could divide the anode area up into multiple anodes if you wanted, each with its own bias power supply with respect to the cathode voltage.ahmed11 said:
The answer, in general is that you can have as many electrodes in the system as you want. The only caveat is that the PDs between the carious Cathodes and Anodes and the Electric Fields need to be right or one anode could hog all the current. The electrons leaving a cathode will naturally spread out and they will follow different paths unless you focus them in some way.ahmed11 said:
i was thinking about argon plasma in a tube and i know that breakdown voltage is all about the distance between electrodes so i was wondering if a set of anodes will help with this issue. say a tube 10 meter is to hard to establish because of the distance between electrodes but if a set of anodes is applied along the tube it will make it easier. or that what i had in mind. still not sureberkeman said:
i'm not going to do the experiment i was just thinking about plasma and been reading a lot lately and wanted to know if the breakdown voltage of the gas usually depends on pressure and distance between electrodes so i was thinking this could help with the distance problem. but as you explained that one anode could take all the electrons, how to control that issue. i have very little knowledge with electricitysophiecentaur said:
This topic is quite a sophisticated one and I think it would be better if you learned some before leaping in here. The problem with plasma is that it is non-linear (V;I characteristic); the more the current, the lower the resistance (not like metals which get higher resistance as the current increases and the temperature rises. To avoid one anode stealing all the current is could be necessary to supply it with a regulated supply voltage, in order to control the current it takes.ahmed11 said: