Luminescence From Minerals Excited by Subnanosecond Pulses of Runaway Electrons Generated in an Atmospheric-Pressure High-Voltage Discharge in Air

The duration of the luminescence from minerals excited by low-current subnanosecond pulses of runaway electrons generated in an atmospheric-pressure high-voltage discharge in air at high overvoltages was used to characterize specific minerals. Advantages of using an atmospheric-pressure air discharge as the electron source versus the use of evacuated acceleration tubes are discussed. The luminescence-duration measurement is a simpler approach as compared to other methods that are conventionally employed in the elemental analysis of minerals.