Point cathode streamer propagation in cyclohexane: Effect of electron scavengers

The propagation of point cathode-initiated streamers in cyclohexane with eight electronegative additives (electron scavengers) has been studied with fast impulses (<20 ns, <35 kV) applied to a 10 mm point-to-plane gap, using shadow graphic imaging and a differential charge-measurement technique. Due to a general random behavior of streamers, we could only separate effects from ldquostrongrdquo and ldquoweakrdquo electron scavengers. The experimental results suggest that point cathode streamer propagation in cyclohexane is assisted by a diffusion-controlled electron attachment mechanism.