Diffuse Discharges in Tip-Plane Gaps Filled with Atmospheric Air

Diffuse discharges formed in atmospheric air by short voltage pulses are described.Based on our new experimental data and known data the discharge basic properties are analyzed.It has been established that diffuse discharges are formed from wide streamers developed from an electrode with a small radius of curvature.Data on the appearance of particle tracks from electrodes with small radius of curvature and the ignition of carbon black deposited on the surface of a flat anode are discussed.Generation of runaway electrons and X-rays in the diffuse discharges has been reported, as well.