Investigation of the Amplitude-Time Characteristics of a Penning Discharge in Miniature Ion Sources

Abstract

Ion sources based on Penning discharge cells are now widely used in small-size pulsed neutron generators of geophysical well-logging apparatus. The operating efficiency of the apparatus is associated with the amplitude and time parameters of the neutron pulse of the generator, which depend on the gas pressure, geometry of the electrode systems, and other factors. Therefore it is necessary to investigate Penning discharge regimes in the context of control and regulation of the working gas (hydrogen) pressure as well as to measure the amplitude-time characteristics of the discharge as a function of the periodic-pulse power supply parameters. The stable discharge ignition regimes in the ion source were determined experimentally, and it was shown that different discharge regimes exist. The operating regimes of ion sources with a descending voltage dependence of the discharge current were revealed at heightened gas pressure.