Self-pulsing operating mode of hollow cathode discharge in noble gas

The self-pulsing phenomenon of hollow cathode discharge in a semi-cylindrical hollow cathode in noble gas is investigated in this paper. The current-voltage (I-V) characteristics and the time evolution of the current and voltage of self-pulsing are measured under different conditions. The results show that the pulse frequency ranges from a few to tens kilohertz depending on the pressure and the averaged current. It increases with the averaged current and decreases as the pressure rising. The external parallel capacitances have no influence on the self-pulsing frequency. It is supposed that the mode transition between pre-discharge and hollow cathode discharge may contribute to the self-pulse.