Volt-ampere characteristic of distributed charge in argon with added potassium stability and stabilization

The volt–ampere characteristic of the distributed charge in argon with added potassium is plotted. It is shown that instability arises at cathode-surface temperatures of $\sim1000^{\circ}$C because of volume processes in the discharge column. In a linear approximation, the region of instability is determined and a method of discharge stabilization is proposed.