Periodic Pulling Oscillation in Air Glow Discharge at Low Pressure

Abstract

The incomplete response of a nonlinear oscillatory system to a periodically driving force called periodic pulling oscillation. In the present study, this phenomenon is observed in the discharge current of airglow discharge that generated at low pressure (55-85 mTorr) by a periodically driving force (a sinusoidal voltage) of the period (3.33 mSec). The glow discharge is created between two plan electrodes of Aluminum, sited parallel inside a Pyrex cylindrical tube at the distance (9.5 cm). It has been observed that the periodic pulling waveform and amplitude changed with the discharge pressure and voltage. A maximum periodic pulling is obtained at a moderate discharges voltage and pressure, namely at normal glow discharge voltage and pressure that coincides with the pressure of the Paschen curve minimum. Furthermore, it is observed that the periodic pulling oscillation is weak and disappear at a higher discharge voltage and /or discharge pressure within the range.