Formation of a low current surface discharge using a negative corona barrier in argon

We present the results of experimental studies of the barrier negative corona of constant voltage excited by a metal tip over a metal plane covered by a thin film of polytetrafluoroethylene. It is shown that bright surface discharges - streamers - form on the dielectric surface as the voltage increases. The change in the surface properties of PTFE films under the influence of low-current surface discharge plasma initiated by a DC voltage barrier corona in argon has been studied.