Re: uv light

["Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>]

Original poster: "Bert Hickman by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>" <bert.hickman-at-aquila-dot-net>

Tesla list wrote:
>Original poster: "J Dow by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>" 
><jdowphotography-at-hotmail-dot-com>
>
>Hello all
>I was reading how sparks form better in the presence of UV light. I guess 
>the UV light make ionizing the air easer. Is there any thing to this?

Hi Josh,

Absolutely! In fact, UV light (65 - 100 nm wavelength) is often used to 
provide "seed" electrons in order to help trigger a spark gap. Spark gaps 
on a Marx generator are aligned so that the UV light from the triggering 
gap can illuminate and stimulate firing of the other gaps. UV 
photoionization is also believed to play a critical role in streamer 
formation and propagation.

Best regards,

-- Bert --
-- 
Bert Hickman
Stoneridge Engineering
"Electromagically" (TM) Shrunken Coins!
http://www.teslamania-dot-com