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]

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

References

^ Mesyats, G A (2005-04-14). "Ectons and their role in plasma processes". Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion. 47 (5A): A109 – A151. Bibcode:2005PPCF...47A.109M. doi:10.1088/0741-3335/47/5A/010. ISSN 0741-3335. S2CID 120533239.
^ 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.

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[1] Mesyats, G A (2005-04-14). "Ectons and their role in plasma processes". Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion. 47 (5A): A109 – A151. Bibcode:2005PPCF...47A.109M. doi:10.1088/0741-3335/47/5A/010. ISSN 0741-3335. S2CID 120533239.

[2] 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.

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