Prebreakdown Phenomena and Formation Processes of Low-Pressure Glow Discharges in Ar, Ar/N2 and Ar/O2 Mixtures

In this research, both the prebreakdown phenomena and the transient processes from the prebreakdown phenomena to the glow discharge in low-pressure Ar gas, Ar/N2 and Ar/O2 mixtures were investigated by electrical and optical methods. The prebreakdown phenomenon in the Ar/N2 mixture was similar to that of Ar gas, and a pulseless component has been observed. The prebreakdown phenomenon in the Ar/O2 mixture differed from those in the Ar gas and Ar/N2 mixture, and formed a pulse discharge. Thus, the prebreakdown phenomenon in the Ar gas has been changed to pulse discharge by mixing a small amount of O2 gas which played an important role in the formation of pulse discharge.