Physical origin of current filaments in DC gas discharges

Author

Lozneanu, Erzilia ; Popescu, Sebastian ; Sanduloviciu, Mircea

Author_Institution

Dept. of Plasma Phys., Al.I. Cuza Univ., Iasi, Romania

Volume

30

Issue

1

fYear

2002

fDate

2/1/2002 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

32

Lastpage

33

Abstract

Current filamentation observed in DC gas discharges is explained considering a self-organization process, the result of which is a nearly spherical double layer known as anode spot. Accelerating electrons at energies sufficient to produce ionizations, the double layer acts as an internal source of charged particles. The striated column, working as current filament, appears after the double layer "multiplication." The balance between the repulsive electric forces and the attractive magnetic forces acting between striated columns explains the ordered distribution of the current filaments at the anode surface

Keywords

discharges (electric); filamentation instability; plasma sheaths; plasma transport processes; DC gas discharges; accelerating electrons; anode spot; attractive magnetic forces; charged particles; current filament; current filamentation; current filaments; double layer multiplication; nearly spherical double layer; ordered distribution; repulsive electric forces; self-organization process; striated columns; striation; Acceleration; Anodes; Cathodes; Discharges; Electrons; Fault location; Ionization; Magnetic forces; Particle production; Voltage;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Plasma Science, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0093-3813

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/TPS.2002.1003909

Filename

1003909