Electron multiplication in liquid cyclohexane and propane

Previous studies of prebreakdown phenomena in very pure liquid cyclohexane have shown that, in a point-plane electrode assembly and for negative polarity of the point, a regular current pulse regime can be observed. This pulse regime, very similar to Trichel pulses found in air, corresponds to a mechanism of electron avalanche in the liquid phase of cyclohexane. Experimental and semiempirical investigations lead to the conclusion that the electrical discharge in the liquid phase of cyclohexane (N=5.57*10/sup 21/ cm/sup -3/) is similar to that in the vapor phase at a number density of only approximately 2.5*10/sup 21/ cm/sup -3/. The same results are obtained in propane. From known values of the multiplication coefficient alpha in gaseous propane and cyclohexane, values of alpha in the liquid phases are estimated according to the electric field.>