PRODUCTION OF THE JOSHI-EFFECT UNDER SILENT ELECTRIC DISCHARGE

Production of the Joshi-effect ∆i, an instantaneous and reversible current decrease, on irradiation even in the visible is observed in a number of gases under (Siemens') ozonizer discharge at 0.1 to 4 kilo volts of 50 and 500 cycles. The effect increases with light-intensity sod frequency ; is sensitive to pressure changes of the excited gas. Hg vapour abolishes ∆i in H. ∆i is not observed in neon and diminishes in the order : Br> O₂> air > N₂> H_2. which is approximately the order of their electron affinity as suggested by Joshi.