Patent ID: 9305733
Filing Date: 2016-04-05
CPC Classification: F03H,H01J

Claim Text:
1. A hollow cathode discharge apparatus, comprising: a metal tube having a first end and a second end, an outside surface and an inside surface; a gas source for flowing gas into the first end of said tube; a metal end cap having an orifice with a chosen diameter adapted to attach to the second end of said tube, such that the gas exits said tube through the orifice; a tubular graphite liner having an outer surface, a first open end and a second end, adapted to be inserted into said metal tube, and in electrical contact therewith, with the second end thereof disposed in the vicinity of said end cap; a 12CaO-7Al a keeper element disposed outside of said tube in the vicinity of said end cap; and a first direct current source in electrical contact with said keeper and said tube for initiating and maintaining an electric discharge in the gas between said electride material and said keeper without said electride material being initially heated.