Discharge device having cathode with micro hollow array

摘要

A discharge device comprises a discharge chamber containing a gas at a prescribed pressure; a cathode mounted within said discharge chamber, said cathode comprising a conductor having a plurality of micro hollows therein, each of said micro hollows having dimensions selected to support a micro hollow discharge at said prescribed pressure; an anode mounted within said discharge chamber and spaced from said cathode; and electrical means for coupling electrical energy to said cathode and said anode at a voltage and current for producing micro hollow discharges in each of the micro hollows in said cathode. <IMAGE>