Die Eigenschaften von Elektronenlawinen bei hohen Verstärkungen in Äther

Abstract

The oscilloscopic study of avalanches of high carrier numbersn allows to investigate the influence of the space charge on the carrier amplification aboven≈10⁶. The investigation was made with ether in the range ofE/p from 60 to 200 V/Torr·cm, withpd-values from 6 to 500 Torr·cm and with gap widths of 0,3; 0,9 and 2,7 cm. Betweenn=10⁶ and 10⁸ the number of carriers increases less than exp (α₀ x). The space charge field of the positive ions reduces the ionisation effect of the electrons.

By comparing the lowering of α(n)/α₀ with the theory one can calculate the diffusion radius of avalanches and thus the mean energy of agitation in ether, which had a nearly constant value of 3 to 4 eV. Aboven≈5·10⁶ to 10⁷ the avalanche diameter increases considerably especially at high pressures. This effect is produced by the electrostatic repulsion of the electrons in the head of the avalanche.

If the carrier number reachesn≈10₈ α(n)/α₀ increases. This is apparently due to processes (“Nachstrom”) following the development of an avalanche just after its transit time.