The Polarity Factor in the Kindling of Electric Impulse Sparkover Based Upon Lichtenberg Figures

The paper presents the results of a photographic study of successive steps in the kindling process of impulse sparkover in unsymmetrical dielectric fields. The photographs confirm the theory, established by the bending of the electric figure streamers when formed under stress of the magnetic field, that electrons primarily are the active elements in the kindling mechanism. The figures also indicate that in a field of ionizing potential gradient the bridging of the spark-gap (10.5 cm) is due largely to extension of the streamers or channels from the positive electrode; and that space charges affect the impulse-sparkover process.