Characteristics of the stabilized glow discharge in air

Abstract

The discharge space between a positive cylindrical electrode (in the diameter
\nrange 0.3185-3.175cm) and a coaxial outer electrode of diameter 58.1 cm has been
\nirradiated by a radioactive /3-source to obtain a stable glow discharge in which streamers
\nare absent. Onset electric gradient, voltage-current characteristics and electric gradient
\nmeasurements at the anode surface in the presence of corona have been obtained. A
\nmodified form of the Townsend voltage-current characteristic has been derived which is
\nin good agreement with the measured values for all conductor diameters. The surface
\ngradient is found to be constant at about 5 % below the onset value after establishment
\nof the glow discharge, and to be independent of further voltage increase. Calculations
\nsuggest that this is consistent with a positive-ion mobility of 1.8 x m2 V-1 s-1.