Spectral analysis of light emitted by prebreakdown phenomena in nonpolar liquids and gases

In the study of electrical conduction phenomena in cyclohexane with point-plane electrode geometry, specific conduction regimes were observed. The authors report observation of light emission (size of the luminous zone, spectral analysis, etc.) associated with these conduction regimes in nonpolar liquids of different electron mobility K/sub e/ as a function of hydrostatic pressure, point radius, and so forth. A similar investigation was carried out on gaseous hydrocarbons (methane, propane) as a function of the density. Experimental results which show a relationship between K/sub e/ and the characteristics of conduction regimes indicate the large influence of hot electron mechanisms on conduction phenomena in purified nonpolar liquids.>