Effect of branching on the channel tortuosity of positive leader

Experiments on leader development were carried out in 10 m and 6 m rod-plane gaps under positive impulse. Leader propagation was recorded by high speed CCD camera. Effect of branching on its channel tortuosity was studied based on these high speed photographs. Over 70% of turning points along the 2-D leader channel are accompanied with leader branching in the experiment. That is branching makes an important contribution to the channel tortuosity of positive leader.