Threshold currents of explosive electron emission in discharge light sources

The article investigates the processes of transition of a discharge to an arc form in the discharge light sources of high and low pressure with a cold cathode. Explosive electron emission (EEE) provides sufficient current density for this transition. The minimum threshold currents of EEE depend on the type of light source and, regarding the devices under examination, range from 0,21 A up to 4 A. These data are needed to improve the performance of light sources and to develop effective lighters.