Non-Self-Sustained Atmospheric Pressure Glow Discharges Maintained by the DC Helium Glow Discharge

The possibilities of obtaining large-volume non-self-sustained atmospheric pressure glow discharge with the help of the self-sustained normal dc glow discharge in helium are demonstrated. The latter plays the role of ldquoplasma electroderdquo for the main discharge in a neighboring chamber in the three-electrode configuration. Electrical parameters of the non-self-sustained discharge for different voltage sign combinations of electrodes are presented. Conditions of discharge transfer from one chamber section to another are under investigations. The spatial profiles of potential at different discharge currents are determined. It is shown that larger volumetric plasma can be generated in the anode-cathode-anode configuration.