Study of microplasma jet in the needle-air-liquid-plane system. Review and experiment

   The purpose of the research is to experimentally investigation of physical processes in the interelectrode space of the needle-air-liquid-plane system in a strong non-uniform electric field with a positive tip.

   Methods. Video images of the development of a corona discharge and a microplasma structure are analyzed; I-V characteristics are measured, synchronized with the video image.

   Results. An external method for obtaining a stable cold circuit flow in a needle-plate electrode system coated with a layer of weakly conductive liquid is used. Current-voltage characteristics are measured in a corona discharge environment. Visual analysis of the CR and MPS glow allows one to evaluate the ionic composition of the CR and MPS. CVCs are measured at the initial stage of MPS development. The mechanism of MPS formation is studied.

   Conclusion. The study demonstrated that the IVLP system enables a new method for producing stable ion-flux-discharge with a positive tip. The IFD is shown to be consumed only with a positive tip. It was found that IR ignition in this configuration occurs at E* ≈ 3.6 kV/cm and a gradual, smooth increase in current, as the tip-air-flux-discharge system exhibits fluctuations due to unstable ion cloud states. A comparative analysis of the tip field strengths demonstrated that the latest IR ignition parameters are comparable at different polar states, but their ignition mechanisms differ. Visual analysis of the IR and IFD glow spectra allows one to evaluate the ionic composition of the IR and IFD: in the IVLP system, the contribution of OH and O₂⁺ is noticeable, which differs from the IAF system, where N₂ and N₂⁺ emission predominate. The generation of a micro-electron-like particle in the IVZhP system occurs without preliminary ignition of a static CR, as the CR immediately develops into a micro-electron-like particle. The obtained results reveal the potential of this method for the controlled generation of CP and expand our understanding of the principle of ionization with a positive tip.

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