Creep discharges in gas at a dielectric surface: statistical analysis and independent discharges model

Flashes accompanying creep discharges in a gas at a dielectric surface were observed. The studies were conducted for opaque dielectrics, and the time intervals between discharges as well as the flash intensity as a function of the time phase of the AC voltage supplied were measured. The results were subjected to statistical analysis and good agreement with the Poisson distribution was found. Making use of the equivalent circuit theory, the authors determined the dependence of discharge intensity on the size of the electrical field intensity critical area. The results obtained allow for the formulation of a model describing the discharge mechanism.