The current–voltage characteristics of high-voltage spark discharge over a dielectric surface in vacuum

Investigation of temporal dependences of the voltage and current of high-voltage spark discharge over a dielectric surface in vacuum has shown that, in the presence of a longitudinal magnetic field, delay of the leading edge of the pulse-breakdown voltage takes place and the current, in turn, is converted from a well-defined impulse into alternating oscillations. Deceleration of the breakdown process in the presence of a low-current discharge that precedes the spark has been observed.