Abstract:
Apparatus for and a method of producing controlled discharges substantially throughout a large volume of a gaseous medium by generating in an enclosure a controlled density of free electrons in the medium and controlling the electron temperature of the free electrons to a level preventing a substantial increase in their density by a self-regenerative ionization process so that for a wide range of uniformity of both the density and temperature of the medium, a stable and controlled discharge is produced in the medium suitable for the intended use of the medium. Apparatus for and the method of producing a discharge in accordance with the invention is useful for the production of lasting action, electrically conductive ionized gas for use in magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) devices and the like, or to produce or facilitate carrying out chemical processes such as, for example, the generation of ozone and the like.