Complex dynamics of a dc glow discharge tube: Experimental modeling and stability diagrams

• DOI: 10.1038/srep08447
• Publication Date: 2015-02-13T10:31:01Z
• Authors: Eugenio Pugliese; Riccardo Meucci; Stefano Euzzor; Joana G. Freire; Jason A. C. Gallas
• Keywords: Glow discharge; Dynamics

We report a detailed experimental study of the complex behavior dc low-pressure plasma discharge tube type commonly used in commercial illuminated signs, microfluidic chip recently proposed for visible analog computing, and other practical devices. Our experiments reveal clear quasiperiodicity route to chaos, two competing frequencies being relaxation frequency eigenfrequency. Based on an volt-ampere characterization discharge, we propose macroscopic model current flowing plasma. The model, governed by four autonomous ordinary differential equations, is compute stability diagrams periodic oscillations arbitrary period control parameter space discharge. Such show self-pulsations emerge remarkably organized into intricate mosaics phases with extended regions multistability (overlap). Specific are predicted dynamical variables Their observation open challenge.