Spherical geometry, electromechanical modeling of cathode liquid prebreakdown

Abstract

A computer simulation is performed on the expansion of a low-density region (LDR) at the cathode in stressed hexane, and on the subsequent production of current pulses. Parameters are chosen to give good agreement with several experimental observations. Combining the Watson and Alexeff models in spherical geometry gives reasonably good results as judged by five criteria: the LDR growth at various pressures, the charge per pulse, the time duration of a set of pulses, the damping of LDR growth, and perhaps the LDR-electrode potential. Simulation revealed that the discharges affect growth (and act as a monitor of it); the discharge model of Alexeff thus complements the growth model of Watson.<>