Nanosecond breakdown in liquid nitrogen

Abstract

This rapid communication reports on nanosecond breakdown inliquid nitrogen at 77 K and atmospheric pressure. The key features of theexperimental system established to undertake this work have been describedalong with the measuring techniques employed. Attention is given to thepulsed reflectometry method, and in particular the problem ofsynchronizing the current and voltage signals with a high degree ofaccuracy is examined in detail. The breakdown occurs in a gap geometrywith plane electrodes and a variable interelectrode distance. The focus ison investigating the breakdown dynamics, numerically estimating theelectron multiplication rates and determining the time the discharge takesto bridge the gap. The experimental results obtained for gaseous andliquid nitrogen under identical conditions are compared to reveal somespecific features of the breakdown dynamics in liquid nitrogen.