Electric field measurements during filament-guided discharge

Andreas Schmitt-SodyAdrian LuceroDavid FrenchWilliam P. LathamWilliam WhiteAir Force Research LabKirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico 87117E-mail: Andreas.schmitt-sody.1@us.af.milWilliam P. RoachAir Force Office of Scientific ResearchArlington, Virginia 22203Abstract. One application of ultrashort pulse filamentation is the couplingof external electric fields to filament plasmas and guiding of high-voltagedischarges. However, the full physics of the guiding mechanism is still inquestion. Several models have been presented and explanations havebeen suggested to capture the full physics of the discharge event. Forthe first time, measurements of the electric field dynamics between twoelectrodes during filament-guided discharges are presented here, to thebest of our knowledge. The electric field dynamics show an exponentialgrowth region, a plateau, followed by a sharp drop off coinciding withthe discharge event. We believe these results will ultimately answer thequestions regarding the guiding mechanism.