How does corona discharge create leakage current?

[newengr]

TL;DR Summary

Where is the current path during corona discharge since the conductive channel doesn't completely bridge the electrodes?

In a normal circuit it's easy enough to visualize the path electrons take through a wire. Even considering leakage current in a capacitor, it's easy enough to visualize a large parallel resistance that current "leaks" through. Is there such a way to visualize corona discharge? I get that it creates leakage current but if it's only ionizing air in the immediate area, how do the electrons complete the loop?

 

[newengr]

I found this discussion which is pretty much exactly what I'm looking for, but I still just do not understand where it is going. The plasma ball thing is a perfect example. Electrons are moving from the electrode in the center to where?

https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/current-path-for-corona-discharge.1009144/

 

[newengr]

would it be represented as a nonlinear resistance? Or like several series resistances where the resistance increases as you move away from the electrode?

 

[tech99]

As far as I can see, it requires an AC or RF voltage and the current flows from the conductor into the capacitance formed between the conductor and the rest of the Universe.

 

[anorlunda]

I'm stretching here. This is not my expertise. But I visualize it like this.

Start with neutral atoms. Some of them are ionized by the powerful electric field gradient. Now we have some free electrons (-) and ionized atoms (+) in a neutral plasma. They move around. When they get far enough away from the wire, they recombine into neutral atoms (not necessarily the same electron recombing with its original atom). When they recombine, they emit light which is the glow of the corona.

So there is no net current. Just atoms ionizing and recombining, with a neutral plasma in between.

 

[DaveE]

Summary:: Where is the current path during corona discharge since the conductive channel doesn't completely bridge the electrodes?

how do the electrons complete the loop?

Sorry for the diversion, although interesting (to me, LOL) and somewhat related to your question.

How do EM waves propagate through the vacuum of space? There are no wires. Does current flow away from the antenna that launches them?
What is displacement current? How does "electricity" flow across the gap of a vacuum capacitor? What if you can't easily "see" the other plate?

There are lots of good demos on YouTube of Tesla coils and such.