Space-charge controlled ionization growth in hydrogen

Measurements of the spatio-temporal growth of currents in hydrogen at low pressure p0 (<15 torr) between plane parallel gold electrodes under the influence of low overvoltage impulses have been analysed by an accurate finite difference method. The growth of the discharge currents was followed from its initial small value ([less, similar]10-9 A) in a uniform electric field to its glow discharge value (similar 10-4 A) in a space-charge distorted field. Estimates of the area of cross section of the discharge channel were made.