Self-sustaining dipole discharge in oxygen

Abstract

It is shown that the permanent high-pressure discharge which has not been observed hitherto in a uniform electric field can be established if the poor ion-bombardment effect is replaced by the more efficient Malter-Paetow effect. In such an arrangement the normal Townsend-like breakdown which, in most cases, develops into a streamer spark will be suppressed by the high resistance of an insulating film at the cathode surfaces. Owing to the symmetry of the system, the charge production by the Malter-Paetow effect at one electrode surface supplies enough charges to sustain the same process at the other electrode and vice versa. Experimental observations concerning the discharge behaviour as well as the variation of discharge current with pressure, electrode distance and applied voltage are reported. The drastic reduction of sparking potential between the two main electrodes due to the space charge is discussed.