Comparison of the temperature of low-current AC/DC discharge

Abstract

A spectrometer has been used to determine the temperature of low-current (≤ 10 mA) AC and DC discharges between water droplets. The relationships between current magnitude, arc length and discharge temperature have been determined. The comparison of AC and DC results shows DC discharges have higher temperatures. The spatial variations of discharges were also recorded and analysed with a high speed camera, and further distinctions between AC and DC discharges noted.