Similarities in Spark and Exploding Wire Discharges

Abstract

Study of underwater sparks, the aim of which was better understanding of the breakdown phenomena in water and the development of parallel discharges, has underscored the similarity with exploding wire discharges. Energy conversion, initial dynamics, and pause phenomena in spark discharges are some of the many aspects that are common to both types of discharges. The electrical parametefs that govern the behavior of spark discharges such as in the experiments with parallel discharges are relevant to studies of the exploding wires. Some of the applications of parallel discharges which extend the utility of the exploding wires (e.g., generation of strong simultaneous pressure pulses) will be indicated.