Physics of self-sustained oscillations in the positive glow corona

Abstract

The physics of self-sustained oscillations in the phenomenon of positive glow corona is presented. The dynamics of charged-particle oscillation under static electric field has been briefly outlined; and, the resulting self-sustained current oscillations in the electrodes have been compared with the measurements from the positive glow corona experiments. The profile of self-sustained electrode current oscillations predicted by the presented theory qualitatively agrees with the experimental measurements. For instance, the experimentally observed saw-tooth shaped electrode current pulses are reproduced by the presented theory. Further, the theory correctly predicts the pulses of radiation accompanying the abrupt rises in the saw-tooth shaped current oscillations, as verified from the various glow corona experiments.