Effect of the Design Parameters and the Atmosphere Composition on the Electric Discharge Shape

The effect of the atmosphere composition and the electrode material and design on the discharge shape and variation in the process of its development and in the steady-state regime is investigated. Graphites of different modifications, tungsten, and copper were used as electrode materials and air, argon, and helium as baseline atmospheres. It is established that the discharge shape (the shape of the glow region in the interelectrode gap) considerably depends on the actual composition of the atmosphere which is determined by the composition of the baseline atmosphere and additions introduced in the interelectrode gap either upon electrode evaporation or with a special purpose. The electrode material influences the steady discharge shape via precisely these additions.