Current dynamics and mechanisms for the instability of a non-self-sustained glow discharge in nitrogen

The current dynamics in a non-self-sustained glow discharge in atmospheric-pressure nitrogen (with a small admixture of oxygen) at cryogenic and room temperatures is studied experimentally and theoretically. For the first time, the theoretical model incorporates the processes of the decomposition of O2+·N2 and NO+·N2 complex ions in collisions with vibrationally excited nitrogen molecules and the associative ionization reactions with the participation of excited nitrogen and oxygen atoms. The computation results agree quite satisfactorily with the experimental data on the current dynamics and the duration of the stable phase of a non-self-sustained discharge for various applied voltages. Even a small (0.01%) oxygen admixture is found to greatly affect the dynamics of the ion composition and the characteristic duration of the stable phase of a non-self-sustained discharge in atmospheric-pressure nitrogen.