Partially constricted glow discharge in an argon-nitrogen mixture

Journal Article · Wed Oct 15 04:00:00 EDT 2008 · Plasma Physics Reports

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1134/S1063780X08100085· OSTI ID:21399960

Ionikh, Yu Z; Meshchanov, A V; Petrov, F B ^[1]; Dyatko, N A; Napartovich, A P ^[2]

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1. Fock Institute of Physics, St. Petersburg State University (Russian Federation)
2. Troitsk Institute for Innovation and Fusion Research (Russian Federation)

The characteristics of a glow discharge in Ar:N{sub 2} mixtures with a low content of nitrogen (0.02-1%) are studied experimentally. Most studies were performed at pressures higher than 10 Torr, at which the discharge constriction goes by a jump and the hysteresis effect is well pronounced. It is found that the time during which the discharge switches from the diffuse to the constricted mode (and back) can reach {approx}1 s. The transition between these modes begins with the development of a constriction at one end of the positive column. Then, the constricted part of the discharge extends toward the other end until it occupies the entire column. The reverse transition occurs in a similar way. By varying the parameters of the electric circuit during the transition, the constriction front can be stopped to form a steady-state partially constricted discharge. It is shown that this type of discharge corresponds to points lying inside the hysteresis loop of the conventional I-V characteristic measured without affecting the discharge during a transition. A comparative analysis of the discharge characteristics in Ar:N{sub 2} mixtures and in pure argon is performed.

• OSTI ID: 21399960
• Journal Information: Plasma Physics Reports, Journal Name: Plasma Physics Reports Journal Issue: 10 Vol. 34; ISSN PPHREM; ISSN 1063-780X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ARGON
DISPERSIONS
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
ELECTRIC DISCHARGES
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
ELEMENTS
FLUIDS
GASES
GLOW DISCHARGES
HYSTERESIS
MIXTURES
NITROGEN
NONMETALS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
POSITIVE COLUMN
RARE GASES