Near-cathode plasma and gas-dynamic processes during the formation of a spark discharge in air at atmospheric pressure in the gap point-plane

Abstract

Using the method of shadow photographing, the formation of a spark discharge in the "tip (cathode)-plane" interval with a length of 1.5 mm is investigated. Two types of shock waves have been registered cylindrical, created when the discharge channel expands, and cathode, presumably generated by cathode flares near the surface of the tip electrode. The computational and theoretical consideration of the proposed mechanism is carried out. Keywords: gas discharge, microstructure, electron temperature, degree of gas ionization.