Prebreakdown phenomena and formation processes of low-pressure glow discharges in Ar, Ar/N-2 and Ar/O-2 mixtures

In this research. both the prebreakdown phenomena and the transient process es from the prebreakdown phenomena to the glow discharge in low-pressure Ar gas, Ar/N-2 and Ar/O-2 mixtures were investigated by electrical and optica l methods. The prebreakdown phenomenon in the Ar/N-2 mixture was similar to that of Ar gas, and a pulseless component has been observed. The prebreakd own phenomenon in the Ar/O-2 mixture differed from those in the Ar gas and Ar/N-2 mixture. and formed a pulse discharge, Thus. the prebreakdown phenom enon in the Ar gas has been changed to pulse discharge by mixing a small am ount of O-2 gas which played an important role in the formation of pulse di scharge.