The formation of a multichannel structure of surface discharge in noble gases

An experimental investigation is performed of the spatial structure of highly conducting channels and of the volt-second characteristics of high-current pulsed surface discharge in $\text{Ne}$, $\text{Ar}$, and $\text{Xe}$ for the purpose of checking the model of formation of multichannel mode of such discharge suggested in [1]. The experiments are performed in a setup with two versions which differ by the electric supply circuit of the discharge by a factor of $27$ as regards the impedance and by a factor of $250$ as regards the discharge energy. The time dependence of voltage across the discharge gap is obtained, as well as the dependence of the number of channels in the gap up to the mode of quasi-homogeneous filling of the gap on the discharge voltage at a gas pressure of $30$ and $100$ kPa. Also given are the results of model calculations of these parameters. The experimental data are compared with the calculation results and demonstrate good agreement; this supports the validity of the adopted model of formation of multichannel mode of the discharge.