Is it possible to glow-discharge air at atmospheric pressure?

AI Thread Summary
Glow discharge in air at atmospheric pressure is theoretically possible but challenging, as traditional high-voltage methods often lead to spark discharges rather than sustained glow. Research indicates that DC glow discharges can occur in atmospheric pressure air, as noted in studies like those by Zdenko Machala. The phenomenon of St. Elmo's fire, a type of coronal discharge, is often referenced but does not meet the criteria specified in the discussion. High-frequency high-voltage methods may offer potential for achieving a glow discharge, although practical applications remain limited. Overall, while the concept is intriguing, achieving a stable glow discharge in atmospheric conditions requires further exploration and innovation.
leviterande
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Hi,

I know air can be made ionized and glow at low atmospehres like in vacuum tubes at high voltages. But is it possible to somehow make a glow discharge(not corona discharge out of leaking sharp edges) at atmospheric pressures?. Except of Ionization radiation- I haven't heared or read of this,? If it is possible what would do it? very HV van de graafs only produce gigantic spark discharges so simple hv direct current can never do it I guess. HV HF transformers also produce mostly spark discharges but a very tiny glow I suspect(?). Could in theory, HV at sufficient high frequency in the radio range at sufficient energy produce a glow discharge or what would happen??

Thanks
 
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You seem to be asking if it is possible for any situation except for those very situations where it is possible.
A google for "glow discharge in air" yields a lot of possibles ...

This may be close to what you are looking for:
DC glow discharges in atmospheric pressure air
... Zdenko Machala et al, Journal of Advanced Oxidation Technologies
 
Yachting people speak of Saint Elmo's fire.
 
NascentOxygen said:
Yachting people speak of Saint Elmo's fire.
St. Elmo's fire (also St. Elmo's light[1][2]) is a weather phenomenon in which luminous plasma is created by a coronal discharge from a sharp or pointed object in a strong electric field in the atmosphere (such as those generated by thunderstorms or created by a volcanic eruption).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Elmo's_fire

leviterande said:
...not corona discharge out of ... sharp edges...

That's what I thought of too - however, OP has excluded it from consideration.
 
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