The paper is devoted to an experimental research of the factors calling effect of pressure auto-stabilization of the gas discharge with the metal-hydride cathode. The experiments were carried out with low-pressure discharges in a magnetic field, using the cathodes made of hydrogen-saturated gettering alloys Zr -V, modified by oxide components. There were studied the dependencies of plasma density distributions and electron temperature in near-cathode zone, as well as temperature mode of the cathode, on the discharge current. On the basis of the data of cathode thermal balance and results of hydrogen plasma diagnostics, it is shown, that the main factor ensuring "current ― pressure" feedback in an auto stabilized mode of the discharge is the ion bombardment. The analysis of results obtained has shown, that the auto-stabilized mode can be observed for various types of low pressure gas discharge, in particular, magnetron and reflective (Penning) ones. However, the lower pressure limit, at which the auto-stabilized mode exists, essentially depends on the discharge geometry. The obtained results open a possibility of creation of vacuum-plasma installations of power and technological purpose having more high autonomy and simplicity in operating, as well as higher gas efficiency than their analogs.
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