Ionization Growth Between Hyperboloidal Needle and Plane Electrode under r.f. Electric Fields in N2. I. Image Intensifier Observations and the Influence of Space Charge Accumulations

Abstract

The corona onset and subsequent plasma growth in the space between a hyperboloidal needle and plane electrode is investigated by highly time-resolved image intensifier techniques. The use of the special geometry has enabled appropriate mathematical analysis of space charge effects to be carried out and has provided clarification of the underlying causes of some significant features of ionization growth under r.f. conditions. The effect of u.v. filtering on the corona images is also examined.