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Off-axis merging of leader channels in a high-voltage atmospheric discharge
Khristina T Smaznova1, Pavel K Batrakov1, Andrey A Rodionov1
1P. N. Lebedev Physical Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia.
Abstract:
A dual-wavelength high-sensitivity laser diagnostic based on a Nd:YAG laser (532 and 1064 nm, pulse duration of 7 ns) was applied to a laboratory high-voltage atmospheric discharge. The applied voltage was 1 MV, and the discharge current reached 10 kA. The discharge gap length was 0.55 m. The electrodes consisted of a pointed cathode inside a smooth-rim cone and a hemispherical mesh anode. The voltage pulse duration was about 1µs with a rise time of 150-200 ns. The closure regions of a cathode-directed leader and an anode-directed leader were visualized. Electron density profiles were obtained in both leader channels. Distinct differences in the plasma structure of the two leaders during off-axis merging were revealed.
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