THE ELECTRICAL DISCHARGE OF SIMPLE GASES

Abstract

The silent discharges of three simple gases (Nitrogen, Oxygen and Nitrous Oxide ) were investigated in a conventional, all-pyrex glass flow system at room temperature and under a variety of experimental conditions. The discharges were followed by measuring the conductive currents in the discharge and by detecting the emissions afterglow spectroscopically. The patterns of variations of discharge current with pressure and with applied voltage can be readily interpreted. The threshold voltage at which the conductive current starts to flow was found to be proportional to the dissociation energy of the gas. The emission features in the afterglows of the silent discharge are quite peculiar as compared with other types of discharges. It was concluded that this is due to the fact that the silent discharge is a very mild form of excitation