Temporal and spatial evolution of air-spark switch plasma investigated by the Mach

Temporal and spatial evolution of air-spark switch plasma investigated by the Mach–Zehnder interferometer

Huang Jie^{1, 2}, Yang Lin^{2, †}, Zhang Hongchao³, Chen Lei², Wu Xianying¹

Electron density distribution and phase shift distribution at t = 75 ns. The arc channel is completely formed at t = 75 ns. Two high-density areas of electrons are observed near the electrodes. The compressed air layers are observed due to the diffusion of the plasma. (a) The interferogram, (b) the phase shift distribution, (c) the electron density distribution between the electrodes.