Experimental study of a diaphragm discharge in water

Abstract

In order to gain a better understanding of the discharge formation mechanism of a diaphragm discharge, the waveforms of the electrical current and the light emission from the plasma, as recorded with a photomultiplier, are compared. Time-averaged current-voltage characteristics are presented for discharges in solutions of NaCl in distilled water. The I/V-curves reveal that there are three different regimes of operation, depending on whether the diaphragm is filled, continuously or intermittently, with water, water vapour or plasma.