Positive Corona and Atmospheric Negative Ion Density under Repetitive Impulse Conditions

The variations in the negative ion density in the atmosphere around an electrode gap in which positive corona is produced during repetitive voltage impulses is discussed. A set of equations is solved numerically for the time variation of negative ion density; the influence of positive and negative, small and large ions is included, together with the natural rate of production of ions in the atmosphere. The results show that in repetitive testing the background density of negative ions is always lower than the natural density, and that it is higher in humid air than in dry air.