Discharge device having cathode with micro hollow array

A discharge device comprising:

• a discharge chamber containing a gas at a prescribed pressure;
• a cathode mounted within said discharge chamber, said cathode comprising a conductor having at least one micro hollow therein, said micro hollow having dimensions selected to support a micro hollow discharge at said prescribed pressure, said cathode further including a dielectric layer on said conductor, said dielectric layer having an opening aligned with said at least one micro hollow;
• an anode mounted within said discharge chamber and spaced from said cathode;
• and
• electrical means for coupling electrical energy to said cathode and said anode at a voltage and current for producing said micro hollow discharge in said at least one micro hollow.

A discharge device for operation in a gas at a prescribed pressure, comprising:

• a cathode comprising a conductor having a plurality of micro hollows therein, each of said micro hollows having dimensions selected to produce a micro hollow discharge at said prescribed pressure, said cathode further including a dielectric layer on said conductor, said dielectric layer having openings aligned with said micro hollows;
• an anode spaced from said cathode;
• and
• electrical means for coupling electrical energy to said cathode and said anode at a voltage and current for producing micro hollow discharges in each of the micro hollows in said cathode.