NEON POSITIVE COLUMN AT HIGH PRESSURES.

The longitudinal electric field is measured, the electron and atom temperatures are calculated, and the radial profiles and absolute values of the electron density are measured for reduced pressures pR equals 210, 316, and 560 torr multiplied by (times) cm and for reduced currents i/R from 4. 8 to 71. 5 mA/cm. In a diffuse discharge all the properties are monotonic functions of the discharge current. As the discharge current is raised the discharge contracts abruptly and all the discharge properties exhibit discontinuous changes.