Transient-Spark Discharge in $\hbox{N}_{2}/\hbox{CO}_{2}/\hbox{H}_{2} \hbox{O}$ Mixtures at Atmospheric Pressure

Transient spark, which is a novel type of streamer- to-spark transition discharge, was investigated in N₂/CO₂/H₂O mixtures. It has a pulsed character with short (~100 ns) pulses of high current amplitude (~1 A) with repetitive frequencies of some kilohertz, and it generates nonequilibrium plasma. Emissions of N₂ first and second positive systems, CN violet system, NH, and atomic N, O, and C lines were detected. Two distinct discharge modes at low and high frequencies with different properties were found.

The mixtures representing a model prebiotic atmosphere of the Earth and a simplified flue gas from the natural gas combustion were studied recently [1]–[3]. We focused on the decomposition of and the formation of organic species by transient spark (TS) in this mixture [3]. We used a novel type of streamer-to-spark transition discharge identified as “spontaneously pulsing transition discharge” or “TS,” which has already been successfully applied for volatile organic compounds abatement [4].