Photographic and oscillographic investigations of spark discharges in hydrogen

Abstract

The development of spark discharges in near-uniform fields under low over-voltage has been studied with nanosecond resolution using image converter and intensifier techniques. The results indicate three main phases in the development of the discharge from the time of initiation by the Townsend mechanism up to the stage where complete voltage collapse across the gap is achieved. First, a quasi-stable glow-like discharge is built up, then a thin filament progresses from the anode to the cathode-fall region. Finally, a luminous region moves quickly from cathode to anode, leaving behind the highly conducting spark channel.