Electric discharges in gases — III: Self-maintained discharges

In the light of basic processes discussed in the 2 previous articles of this group, this article reviews some facts and current theories concerning the various classes of self-maintained electric discharges in gases. This is the concluding article of a group of 3 devoted to the general subject of electric discharges in gases, the 2 previous articles having reviewed current knowledge concerning ionization and excitation, and ions in dense gases, respectively; it is the fifth of a series of special articles developed under the sponsorship of the A.I.E.E. committee on education, for full details concerning which see p. 238 of ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING for February 1934.