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 tim e, the theoretical model incorporates the processes of the decomposition of O-2(+) . N-2 and NO+ . N-2 complex ions in collisions with vibrationally e xcited nitrogen molecules and the associative ionization reactions with the participation of excited nitrogen and oxygen atoms. The computation result s agree quite satisfactorily with the experimental data on the current dyna mics and the duration of the stable phase of a nonself-sustained discharge for various applied voltages. Even a small (0.01%) oxygen admixture is foun d to greatly affect the dynamics of the ion composition and the characteris tic duration of the stable phase of a nonself-sustained discharge in atmosp heric-pressure nitrogen. (C) 2001 MAIK "Nauka/Interperiodica".