Impulsive electrical breakdown of air at atmospheric pressure directed by a long laser spark

Journal Article · Sun Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1987 · High Temp. (Engl. Transl.); (United States)

OSTI ID:5235700

Asinovskii, E I; Vasilyak, L M; Nesterkin, O P

The results of an experimental investigation of the electrical breakdown of air in a discharge gap 10 cm long at atmospheric pressure along the channel of a long laser spark are presented. It was found that the velocity of the breakdown depends on the delay time between the creation of the long laser spark and the application of a voltage pulse to it and equals (0.8-3) x 10/sup 7/ m/sec. The maximum current flowing through the gap also depends on the delay time and equals 1.5-4.5 kA. The dependence of the velocity and current on the delay time are apparently determined by the hydrodynamic evolution of the channel of the long laser spark.

• OSTI ID: 5235700
• Journal Information: High Temp. (Engl. Transl.); (United States), Journal Name: High Temp. (Engl. Transl.); (United States) Vol. 25:3; ISSN HITEA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640304* -- Atomic
Molecular & Chemical Physics-- Collision Phenomena
74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS
AIR
BEAM TRANSPORT
BEAMS
BREAKDOWN
CORONA DISCHARGES
CURRENTS
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
ELECTRIC DISCHARGES
ELECTRIC POTENTIAL
ELECTRIC SPARKS
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELECTRON BEAMS
ELECTRON DENSITY
FLUID MECHANICS
FLUIDS
GASES
HYDRODYNAMICS
ION BEAMS
IONIZATION
LASER RADIATION
LASERS
LEPTON BEAMS
MECHANICS
NEODYMIUM LASERS
PARTICLE BEAMS
PHOTOIONIZATION
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
RADIATIONS
SOLID STATE LASERS
TIME DEPENDENCE