Journal of Plasma Physics

Table of Contents - 1971 - Volume 5, Issue 03  

Research Article

Coherent ion plasma oscifiations in a d.c. corona discharge in rarefied air

Pedro Lilienfelda1

a1 GCA Corporation, Technology Division, Bedford, Mass.

Abstract

Stable, phase coherent ion plasma oscillations are found superimposed on the d.c. potential and current of positive coaxial corona discharges in air at pressures of the order of 1/100 of one atmosphere. The frequency of these oscillations, typically several hundred kHz, is a function of air density, and varies with the concentration of gaseous trace contaminants.

(Received September 14 1970)