Experiments on plane overvolted discharges in N2, and comparison with calculations

In this paper experimental and theoretical results for the development of overvolted discharges in N₂ between a plane-parallel gap are described. By suitable initial conditions laterally extended (plane) discharges can be realized instead of the usually observed filamentary streamers. In this discharges which were large in diameter compared with the gap distance, a quantitative comparison of the experimental results with one dimensional calculations is possible. It is shown that the discharges can be described by the well-known build-up theory of instationary discharges but an additional far-reaching electron generating mechanism (gas ionizing radiation) must be included. The development of our discharges is compared with that of the streamer.