Ignition phenomena in h.v. mercury-arc valves

A streamer mechanism is proposed to explain the ignition phenomena which are observed in multigrid high-voltage gas-filled valves. Theoretical treatment of the streamer shows it to propagate at higher velocity with increasing gas pressure and decreasing valve voltage, in accordance with observation. Some of the conditions necessary for normal reliable ignition are related theoretically to the avoidance of transient cutoff of the streamer.