RESUMO
The influence of the space charge of ions emitted from the surface of a conical spike on its shape has been studied. The problem of the calculation of the spatial distributions of the electric field, ion velocity field, and the space charge density near the cone tip has been reduced to the analysis of a system of ordinary differential equations. As a result of numerical solution of these equations, the criterion for the balance of the capillary and electrostatic forces on the conic surface of a liquid-metal anode has been determined. It has allowed us to relate the electrical current flowing through the system, the applied potential difference, and the cone angle. We have compared the results of our calculations with available experimental data concerning emission from the surface of pure liquid gallium, indium, tin, and some liquid alloys, such as Au+Si , Co+Ge , and Au+Ge . On the basis of the proposed model, explanations have been given for a number of specific features of the emissive behavior of different systems.
RESUMO
Formation of large-scale hydrodynamic convective patterns in plasma-like current-carrying media is considered. This process is shown to be described by the same equations, as Benard rolls, except that a temperature field must be replaced by a magnetic field. A simple low-mode model of spatial pattern formation for a case of cylindrical liquid-metal conductor with current is proposed and investigated. Nonlinear interaction of perturbations of the magnetic field and the velocity field results in an increase of effective conductor resistance even when transport coefficients are constant. In our opinion, it is this instability, that is of first importance at the initial stages of the electric explosion of conductors. In particular, it leads to conductor stratification and electric current interruption. (c) 1996 American Institute of Physics.
