Current pulses caused by streamers in sphere-sphere electrode system

[摘要] Streamer is a channel of a low temperature plasma growing due to ionization in the area of the strong electric field at the tip of the channel. Streamer investigation presents a technically highly complicated task due to fleetingness of the process: growing velocity is 106-107m/s and characteristic duration is 10-8-10-7s. The electric current pulse registration is a moderate method for investigating so fast process. However, the major part of streamer current investigations refers to low voltage range (about 103-104V) and short streamers length range 10-2-10-1cm. Also positive streamers are usually considered and there is a lack of information about current pulses caused by negative streamers. Both positive and negative streamers and their interaction are considered in the present paper. A multibranch streamer corona emerging at voltages above 250 kV and in long gaps (above 40 cm) was investigated.

[发布机构] Physics Department, St. Petersburg State University, Ulianovskaia 1, St.-Petersburg; 198504, Russia^1

[效力级别] 数学

[关键词] Electric current pulse;Growing velocity;Low temperature plasmas;Negative streamers;Positive streamers;Sphere-sphere electrodes;Streamer corona;Strong electric fields