Magnetic Control of Discharge Tube Current

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Scientific Paper
Title Magnetic Control of Discharge Tube Current
Author(s) Timothy E Raney
Keywords discharge tubes, electron path, experiment, magnetic fields
Published 1999
Journal Electric Spacecraft Journal
Number 29
Pages 10-11

Abstract

This paper summarizes experiments that use magnetic fields to control the current in discharge tubes. In theory, the trajectory of electrons, in a magnetic field applied parallel to their initial direction of motion, describes a spiral path as these electrons follow the magnetic field lines. This results in an overall longer path with a higher probability of ionizing more gas molecules with a resulting increase in current (Yarwood 1945). In these experiments, the magnetic field was oriented parallel to the stream of electrons emitted from a cold cathode in a discharge tube. The experiments determined the magnetic field strength necessary to control tube current by lengthening the electron path.