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Re: stepped leaders



Tesla List wrote:
> 
> >From Benson_Barry%PAX5-at-mr.nawcad.navy.milSat Sep 21 12:05:22 1996
> Date: Fri, 20 Sep 1996 13:35:00 -0400 (EDT)
> From: Benson_Barry%PAX5-at-mr.nawcad.navy.mil
> To: tesla-at-poodle.pupman-dot-com
> Subject: Re: stepped leaders
> 
>  ----------
> |From: "tesla-at-poodle.pupman-dot-com"-at-PMDF-at-PAXMB1
> |To: Benson Barry; "Tesla-list-subscribers-at-poodle.pupman-dot-com"-at-PMDF-at-PAXMB1
> |Subject: Re: stepped leaders
> |Date: Thursday, August 22, 1996 11:25AM
> |
> <SNIP>

> |> 1. Is the spark current (power) or voltage driven (dependent)?
> |
> |The spark grows due to the ion cloud which is a both a function of
> |voltage & power!  Voltage is needed to break down the air in the first
> |place.  The size of the arc channel and the number of ions in it are
> |related to the current in the arc which is inturn related to the power
> |input.
> |R Hull
> |
> |
> |> 2. Why does a spark once started....cease ?
> |
> |The question of the century!!!  Still workin' on this one.
> |R Hull
> |
> Could plasma instabilities and fluctuations on the power line come to bear
> on this in
> addition to the detuning and resultant reduction in power transfer from the
> capacitance of the long spark in parallel with other competing processes
> (streamers)?
> 
>                                    Barry


Barry,

Instabilities in the line power are a definite no on the spark break 
question.  Detunning and competition between arcs for ions is much more 
likely.

Richard Hull, TCBOR