Observation of light emissions around a piezoelectric transformer in various gases

The ceramic Pb(Zr/spl middot/Ti)O/sub 3/ (PZT) is well known as a highly efficient energy conversion device for electrical and mechanical energies and is widely used in microelectronics and information technology industries. In a previous paper, the authors suggested that PZT also acts as a compact discharge exciter. In this paper, images of discharge plasma produced by PZT in various gases are presented. Analysis of the images suggests that a piezoelectric transformer manufactured from PZT is capable of emitting the light from the gas atoms and molecules.