Formation of a spatially homogeneous discharge in large-volume CO2–N2–He gas mixtures

A three-dimensional self-sustained discharge was established in a large-volume (V~100 liters) CO₂–N₂–He gas mixture at atmospheric pressure. It was found that the regime of a slow rise of the voltage together with the use of easily ionizable substances made it possible to form stable discharges between electrodes separated by large gaps (d~40 cm) under relatively low voltages (U ≤ 300 kV) from a pulse generator.