Stabilization of the anode region of a DC glow discharge in ambient air

摘要

A negative corona discharge in a pin-to-crater geometry has been subjected to different air flow conditions with the aim to maximize the sparking threshold current and operate the discharge in the glow regime. It is found that the electrodynamically unstable anode region can be stabilized by a jet flow of 50 slm directed from the pin cathode towards the anode crater edge. Such local gas flow effects can extend the applicibality of the convective stabilization technique towards lower flow rates.