Breakdown Phenomena in Point-to-Point Gaps

Measurements with multiple techniques delineating the complete sequence of events from the primary streamer to the formation of the spark channel for relatively small point-to-point gaps are reported. The pulsed potential with 0.4 µs rise time and 1800 µs decay time was applied to the point-to-point gap, of which length was changed from 6 to 14 cm. The light pulses were observed by 5 photomultipliers as well as current and potential wave. It is shown that the spark channel can be materialized through the following three processes: 1) initial process, in which the primary, the secondary, and the tertiary streamers develop from both point electrodes into gap, and the ionizing wave bridges the gap; 2) intermediate process, in which the dark period proceeds with ion and electron movement if the applied potential is around the mean breakdown potential, or in the other case, the ``leader'' develops from the anode with the help of ionizing waves; and 3) final process, in which the channel is highly ionized at first by the ionizing wave, then gas heating, to lead the formation of a spark channel. On the bases of the measurements of streamer speed and current, the ion and electron density were calculated. It is estimated that starting with the primary streamer with an electron density of 1012 cm-3, the electron density in the streamer channel is augmented by the ionizing wave up to 1012cm -3 when the gap is bridged by the ionizing wave.