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Phenomenon of skipping sparks in discharges on a dielectric surface

Journal Article · · IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1109/28.511636· OSTI ID:372154
; ;  [1]
  1. Univ. of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN (United States). Dept. of Electrical Engineering

Gliding sparks are associated with channel breakdown in air near a corona precharged dielectric layer backed by ground. Characterized by high current, their bright channels usually end in sudden branching/dimming. Infrequently, there occur cases in which channel brightness is interrupted, with no evident local branching but a new leader continuing on propagating after momentary delay. This skipping-spark phenomenon has been studied in an experimental system intended for taking Kirlian photographs. Operated in a Lichtenberg-figure mode, the method yields evidence in some detail. The authors report on observations of spark-channel touchdown and subsequent rebounding. A model based on nonuniform surface charging is proposed for explanation.

OSTI ID:
372154
Journal Information:
IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications, Journal Name: IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 32; ISSN 0093-9994; ISSN ITIACR
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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