Circularly expanding corona-onset driven surface waves on insulator-supported oil film: theory and experiment

Experimental arrangements leading to the triggering of circularly expanding soliton-like surface waves reported earlier are used to study the production of a second, on-set, phenomenon: the launching of a visually analogous wave system upon sudden application of high positive DC corona point voltage if the oil layer is initially uncharged. Associated motional decay, pulsing behavior of point current and resulting residual charge distribution patterns on the oil surface according to ranges of experimental parameters are determined, the last being from after-the-event surface potential scanning. Similarities and differences between the charge-relaxation wave and the charge-onset type are noted. In addition, observation shows significant polarity difference. Sudden application of negative potential at point does not trigger the on-set wave. A field theory describing the corona environment is proposed for the phenomenon