Novel pulsed power applications.

Abstract

The purpose of this dissertation is to examine the mechanisms of the glow (Townsend) discharge, the arc (streamer) discharge, the corona discharge, and the vacuum discharge. The physics of each discharge is presented and then investigated by way of mathematical model and experiment. Four novel pulsed power experiments constructed for the purpose of examining each discharge are presented. Namely a transverse electric atmospheric carbon-dioxide laser, a flashlamp, a surface corona apparatus, and a plasma opening switch. Methods for the measurement of short duration intense electric and electromagnetic events are included. Practical aspects of pulsed power experimentation are discussed.