Breakdown of t-decalin due to positive hole streamer

The breakdown voltage of trans-decalin in positive point-to-point electrodes was decreased by about 23-25% when ammonia gas was dissolved. By ultraviolet irradiation the breakdown voltage was increased about 12%. At the wave front of the applied voltage pulse, prebreakdown light pulses were observed in t-decalin and cyclohexane. At the wave tail, however, light pulses were only observed in the liquids with ammonia molecules. Emission peaks of the wave tail light were in the range above 5400 A, which included the peaks of ammonia molecules. The results indicate that prior to breakdown hole streamers develop from the point tip to the plane cathode in the alicyclic liquids