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Initiation of Glow Discharges

Abstract

THE form of the breakdown voltage/pressure curve for various gases in the pressure range 0–5 cm. mercury has been established by several investigators. The breakdown voltage usually measured is that at which a galvanometer in series with the experimental tube indicates a current of 0–1 microamp. This current increase is usually so abrupt (Druyvesteyn and Penning1, p. 105 and Fig 16) that the coronastarting voltage is defined within a range usually smaller than the accuracy of measurement. Huxley2,3, Penning4, Bruce5 and Boulind6, among others, have studied He,Ne2 and N23, A,He,Ne4, H25, and O2, CO2, H2 and air6.

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CRAGGS, J., MEEK, J. Initiation of Glow Discharges. Nature 152, 386–387 (1943). https://doi.org/10.1038/152386b0

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