Complex form of current pulses in negative corona discharges

Abstract

Current wave forms of the first Trichel pulses and initial stages of negative point-to-plane breakdown in carbon monoxide have been measured at a pressure of 13.33 kPa. The results include a report of the intricate pulse wave form with a step on the pulse leading edge and a current hump on the pulse trailing part, which indicates that the physical mechanism for the Trichel pulse phenomenon is more complex than the generally accepted description in terms of Morrow's theory [Phys. Rev. A 32, 1799 (1985); 32, 3821 (1985)]. A tentative explanation of the observed pulse wave form based on the presumed existence of a cathode-directed ionizing wave is outlined.