The importance of corona generation and leader formation during laser filament guided discharges in air

摘要

Images taken with an intensified CCD camera show the dynamics during filament guided discharge events. The images reveal that filament initiated corona plays a role in the presented results. Furthermore, the images show the formation of leaders, propagating and eventually bridging the gap between the high voltage (HV) electrodes. Analysis of the images and comparison to oscilloscope traces of voltage and current dynamics reveal the origin of the delay between the filament and HV discharge and allows for a probability of discharge analysis.