Mobilities in Hydrogen at High Current Densities

Abstract

The conditions in an investigation of the silent electric discharge from sharp points and fine wires in hydrogen at atmospheric pressure are such that the discharge itself purifies the gas from electron-attaching impurities, so that the conditions of the discharge are productive of free electron conduction. Measurements are made of the generalized coefficient of mobility for the drift of free electrons in hydrogen, and of the mobility of hydrogen positive ions in hydrogen. Past observers have usually had doubts concerning the purity of the gas prepared by chemical means, but the results here reported involve a demonstrably sustained purification during the measurement itself.