Low-Voltage Glow Discharge in Atmospheric Pressure Argon with Small Additions of Cesium or Potassium

Electric conductivity measurements were carried out between movable tantalum disks in thermal equilibrium with argon plus cesium or potassium in the temperature range 750 to 1000 deg C at pressures up to 1.7 atm. The argon was passed slowly through a vapor trap containnng the cesium or potassium at the required vapor pressure and into a tube furnace. Possible application is made to magnetohydrodynamic generators. (R.E.U.)