[Vo]:

[TP Sparber]

The discharge was an atmospheric pressure Glow Discharge not an Arc.

 

http://www.du.edu/~jcalvert/phys/dischg.htm#Glow

 

" Most of the voltage between anode and cathode is represented by the cathode fall V_c near the cathode. Aston found experimentally that the electric field is greatest at the cathode, and falls linearly to zero at the end of the cathode fall in the negative glow. This linear decrease means that the potential rises parabolically: V(x) = (2V_c/d²)x(x - 2d). This means that there is a constant positive space charge in the region of amount V_c/2pd², and the field at the cathode is E_o = 2V_c/d. If K is the mobility of the positive ions, then the positive ion current can be found. The electron current is ? times this, so the total current density at the cathode is j_o = V_c²K(1 + ?)/pd^3"

 

"Fast ion bombardment causes sputtering of the cathode material. The rate of sputtering is proportional to (V_c - V), where V is the normal cathode fall, and V_c the established cathode fall. 850V would not be an unusual figure, where V = 200V, say. The exact mechanism of sputtering is in doubt, but it seems that cathode material is ejected to the cathode surface, and then evaporated by the local heating. The rate of deposition obeys the inverse-square law. The films produced are quite coherent and uniform. Silver sputters relatively easily, aluminum with difficulty. Where cathode surfaces are specially prepared, perhaps with low-work function substances as in thermionic cathodes, sputtering can destroy them quickly, even at relatively low overvoltages. There seems to be little sputtering at the normal cathode fall. The electrodes of glow lamps are treated with low-work-function materials, so they are injure! d by overcurrent, and their striking voltages may rise."

 

----- Original Message -----

From: TP Sparber

To: vortex-l@eskimo.com

Sent: 6/17/2006 6:34:12 AM

Subject: [Vo]: Re: Pressure Cooker Fractional Orbits

Posted earlier:

>

> The arc drops the transformer output to 1,000 volts or less at 0.06 amps

> so there wasn't enough input energy to account for the pressure rise.

>

Mizuno's experiments come to mind here, except the discharge is to the water

pool surface is though the air (N2, O2, Ar, CO2, ) and H2O vapor rather than in

the water.

 

Mizuno's early tungsten in water arc experiments (1998) by comparison:

 

http://www.earthtech.org/experiments/Inc-W/Wreport.html

 

 

The ion energy bombarding the pool surface is set by the cathode

fall potential which is probably not more than 150 volts or less.

 

This means that a proton (or some deuterons in the water)can penetrate into

an oxygen, nitrogen, or argon electron cloud setting up Auger Effect "cascades"

by proton/deuteron capture of inner shell electrons with an energy release

that can substantially multiply the energy input.

 

Fred