Effect of reflected shock-waves on discharge-channel development in flash lamps

Shadow and ordinary photography of a discharge in tubular and U-shaped lamps in the radial and lateral directions are performed. It is shown that a reflected shock wave results in separation of the discharge channel into two parts throughout the length of the lamp. Oscillation maxima of the channel propagation boundary appear each time the reflected shock waves encounter the discharge channel. The scheme by which a discharge channel develops in flash lamps is presented.