Effect of the gas dynamic structure of a flow on the parameters of a self-sustained discharge. II

The limiting current of a self-sustained glow discharge is calculated. Two- dimensional equations for the flow of a viscous, vibrationally nonequilibri um gas and a model of the cathode sheath are used. The validity of the appr oximations which form the basis of the cathode sheath model was tested with experimental data for anomalous and normal currents. The effects of lamina r and turbulent gas flow and of the geometric dimensions of the channel on the limiting discharge current are examined. (C) 1999 American Institute of Physics. [S1063-7842(99)00911-3].