Positive Corona in Freon-Air Mixtures

In this investigation of positive corona, streamer pulses increased in frequency and strength to a maximum at one percent of freon in air. The visual characteristic of the corona changed markedly indicating also that the discharge sustained itself largely by the streamer mechanism. The dissociation of freon by the discharge created stable ${\mathrm{Cl}}^{-}$ and ${\mathrm{F}}^{-}$ ions which neutralized the positive space charges and therefore stimulated streamers. As the freon content was increased, streamers degenerated until they could not be distinguished from burst pulses. The onset potentials were shifted to higher values and the current vs. potential curves showed decreasing slopes with increasing amounts of freon.