The so-called explosive electron emission observed as individual packets or avalanches of electrons is shown to occur in microexplosions at the cathode. This microexplosion of electrons is called an ecton. Electron current in an ecton starts to flow as a result of the overheating of metal because of the high energy density (10⁴ J g^-1), and the current stops owing to the cooling of the emission zone. Ectons occur in electrical discharges in vacuum, in cathode spots of a vacuum arc, in bulk discharges in gases, in pseudo-spark discharges, in corona discharges, etc.

PACS: 79.90.+b DOI: 10.1070/PU1995v038n06ABEH000089 URL: https://ufn.ru/en/articles/1995/6/a/ A1995RL93800001 Citation: Mesyats G A "Ecton or electron avalanche from metal" Phys. Usp. 38 567–590 (1995) BibTexBibNote ® (generic) BibNote ® (RIS)MedlineRefWorks TY JOUR TI Ecton or electron avalanche from metal AU Mesyats, G. A. PB Physics-Uspekhi PY 1995 JO Physics-Uspekhi JF Physics-Uspekhi JA Phys. Usp. VL 38 IS 6 SP 567-590 UR https://ufn.ru/en/articles/1995/6/a/ ER https://doi.org/10.1070/PU1995v038n06ABEH000089 Оригинал: Месяц Г А «Эктон — лавина электронов из металла» УФН 165 601–626 (1995); DOI: 10.3367/UFNr.0165.199506a.0601