The electrode-liquid interface under high fields

Abstract

Ab@&The mechanism which occur at the interfaces between insulating liquids and metal electrodeJ and are significant for the initiation of electrical b r e s k d m under high &Ids are eonsidered. These indude not only ekctmnic processes but also bydmmecbanical ones involving the Iippmann effect in which the electrical &Ids of the double layers at the electrodes reduce the interfacial tension and lead to the genetation of low pressum microSavitieJ. It ia snggested that the crmpling of this mechanical mechanism to emcient electron transfer by Auger processes at the electrodes wiU be highly conducive to streamer initiation.