Formation of a spark discharge in an inhomogeneous electric field with current limitation by a large ballast Resistance

Journal Article · Fri Jan 15 00:00:00 EST 2016 · Plasma Physics Reports

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1134/S1063780X15110021· OSTI ID:22471831

Baldanov, B. B., E-mail: [e-mail] ^[1]

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1. Russian Academy of Sciences, Institute of Physical Material Science, Siberian Branch (Russian Federation)

Results of studies of a spark discharge initiated in argon in a point–plane electrode gap with limitation of the discharge current by a large ballast resistance are presented. It is shown that the current flowing through the plasma channel of such a low-current spark has the form of periodic pulses. It is experimentally demonstrated that, when a low-current spark transforms into a constricted glow discharge, current pulses disappear, the spatial structure of the cathode glow changes abruptly, and a brightly glowing positive plasma column forms in the gap.

• OSTI ID: 22471831
• Journal Information: Plasma Physics Reports, Vol. 42, Issue 1; Other Information: Copyright (c) 2016 Pleiades Publishing, Ltd.; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1063-780X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
ARGON
CATHODES
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
ELECTRIC FIELDS
ELECTRIC SPARKS
GLOW DISCHARGES
PLASMA