Phys. Rev. E 74, 055401(R) (2006) [4 pages]Microwave generation of stable atmospheric-pressure fireballs in air
The generation of stable buoyant fireballs in a microwave cavity in air at atmospheric pressure without the use of vaporized solids is described. These fireballs have some of the characteristics of ball lightning and resemble those reported by Dikhtyar and Jerby Phys. Rev. Lett. 96 045002 (2006), although of a different color, and do not require the presence of molten or vaporized material. Mechanisms of microwave plasma formation and fluid dynamics can account for the observed behavior of the fireballs, which do not appear to meet the accepted definition of dusty plasmas in this case. Relevance to models of ball lightning and industrial applications are discussed. © 2006 The American Physical Society URL:
http://link.aps.org/doi/10.1103/PhysRevE.74.055401
DOI:
10.1103/PhysRevE.74.055401
PACS:
52.40.Db, 52.80.Mg
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