2026/07/23 by Xiang Ao, Yuxiao Li, Zhicen Liu +7
Engineering · Materials Science · Physics and Astronomy · #High voltage insulation and dielectric phenomena #Plasma Diagnostics and Applications #Vacuum and Plasma Arcs
paper · doi:10.1088/1361-6404/ae8f86
openalex publication_date 2026/07/23 · openalex created_date 2026/07/24 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/24
Abstract This work combined experiment with a Monte Carlo model to study electron transport in a mercury Franck-Hertz tube under a higher-excitation measurement, where the accelerating voltage between the cathode and the first grid is swept. The simulated current-voltage curves are in good agreement with the experimental results. The Monte Carlo model resolves the spatial evolution of electron energy distribution, electron density, and electron velocity distribution inside the tube. The results provide a kinetic interpretation of the higher-excitation features in the current-voltage curves and clarify how the underlying transport processes differ from those in the first-excitation measurement. These findings provide a clearer microscopic picture of electron kinetic in the Franck-Hertz experiment.