Is this project an undergraduate, graduate, or faculty project?
Undergraduate
individual
What campus are you from?
Daytona Beach
Authors' Class Standing
Seth Gerow, Senior
Lead Presenter's Name
Seth Gerow
Faculty Mentor Name
Jeremy Riousset
Abstract
Our work focuses on low current, low temperature plasma discharges: glow and corona. Townsend theory predicts that the critical voltage to initiate a gas breakdown (i.e., a "spark") between two parallel plate electrodes is dependent on the product of the pressure and distance; consequently, variations in either parameter which results in the same product, pd, do not affect the breakdown voltage. In this work, we present Paschen curves of narrow-to-wide electrode glow discharges in two gas mediums, argon and air. These curves show a deviation from theoretical predictions, such that changes in electrode configuration create a uniform shift of the entire curve. We also investigate the applicability of a generalization of Townsend theory to cylindrical and spherical geometries in predicting non-planar breakdown voltages. This work will ultimately improve our understanding of the initial stage of the formation of lightning, but also has potential implication for industrial use of plasma discharge (e.g., surface cleaning).
Did this research project receive funding support from the Office of Undergraduate Research.
Yes, Spark Grant
Included in
Paschen Curves of Glow Discharges in Different Gas Compositions
Our work focuses on low current, low temperature plasma discharges: glow and corona. Townsend theory predicts that the critical voltage to initiate a gas breakdown (i.e., a "spark") between two parallel plate electrodes is dependent on the product of the pressure and distance; consequently, variations in either parameter which results in the same product, pd, do not affect the breakdown voltage. In this work, we present Paschen curves of narrow-to-wide electrode glow discharges in two gas mediums, argon and air. These curves show a deviation from theoretical predictions, such that changes in electrode configuration create a uniform shift of the entire curve. We also investigate the applicability of a generalization of Townsend theory to cylindrical and spherical geometries in predicting non-planar breakdown voltages. This work will ultimately improve our understanding of the initial stage of the formation of lightning, but also has potential implication for industrial use of plasma discharge (e.g., surface cleaning).