A DEVICE FOR THE MEASUREMENT OF CORONA DISCHARGES IN HIGH-PRESSURE OR LIQUEFIED GASES

An electronic device for the study of the pulse regime in liquified gases (argon, krypton, nitrogen) is described. The charge per pulse (duration up to 30 mus) and the elapsed time between two successive pulses can be measured. These measured values (up to 60 series of 1 000 values each) are transfered to and processed on a microcomputer. Moreover, the simultaneous measurement of these charges and elapsed times makes it possible to check for correlations between these quantities. By using this device for the study of liquified and compressed gases we demonstrate that a self-sustaining and self-stabilizing discharge occurs both in high pressure gas and liquid phases.