The velocity of streamer tips in impulse point-to-plane corona in air, using Lichtenberg figure techniques

Abstract

Positive and negative streamer lengths were measured in point-to-plane impulse corona in air at atmospheric pressure using Lichtenberg figure technique. Applying short time pulses from 9 to 40 nsec duration time-distance plots were obtained, which allowed one to determine the streamer tip velocity. For a 4 cm gap, a 1 mm diameter point, and a 30 kV pulse an average tip velocity of 1.8×108 cm/sec was found. Comparing these data withHudson's photomultiplier measurement, we may identify the Lichtenberg figure with the “primary” streamer ofHudson. The negative streamer tip velocity in the cathode part of the gap was approximately an order of magnitude smaller than the positive streamer velocity.