Bulk self-sustained discharge in long gaps containing CO2–N2–He mixtures

Strong ultraviolet radiation and easily ionizable impurities made it possible to achieve stable self-sustained discharges using voltage (pump) pulses of 2 μ sec minimum duration and specific deposited energy of at least 200 J/liter in discharge gaps up to 25 cm filled with CO₂–N₂–He mixtures with the molecular gases representing up to 50% of the total content. The minimum voltages required from a pump source to initiate a stable discharge did not exceed 255 kV.