Abstract

Turbulent eddies in high pressure microsecond spark channels in helium were photographed by means of a 20-nsec Kerr cell shutter. Current densities exceeded 10⁶ A/cm². It was shown that turbulences are initiated from plasma jets originating at the electrodes. The cathode jet is explained by Compton’s accommodation theory as extended by Haynes. The observed anode shock wave appears to be the result of a dynamic magnetic pinch.

© 1968 Optical Society of America

Electrode Phenomena in a High Current 20-Nanosecond Spark

Heinz Fischer and C. C. Gallagher
Appl. Opt. 6(12) 2176-2178 (1967)

Vacuum Ultraviolet Emission from High Density Spark Discharges in Argon and Helium

Lothar Michel and Heinz Fischer
Appl. Opt. 11(4) 899-906 (1972)

On the Saturation Luminance of High Density Microsecond Arc Channels

Heinz Fischer and Lothar Michel
Appl. Opt. 6(5) 935-937 (1967)

Expansion of Initial High-Current Spark Channels

Heinz Fischer and C. C. Gallagher
Appl. Opt. 4(9) 1151-1154 (1965)

Radiance Saturation and Afterglow Emission of High Pressure 20-nsec Spark Channels in Argon and Helium

Heinz Fischer and Wilhelm Schwanzer
Appl. Opt. 8(3) 697-699 (1969)