Abstract
SIR J. J. THOMSON1 first observed that if a difference of potential was applied to the ends of a long discharge tube (by an induction coil) the luminosity traversed the tube with a finite velocity. When either a positive or negative impulsive potential is suddenly applied to one end of a discharge tube while the other end is maintained at ground potential, one of us2 found that the luminosity traversed the tube from the high-voltage electrode to ground. Immediately following this, a luminosity frequently traversed the tube from the ground back to the high-voltage electrode. A similar type of propagation of luminosity has been observed in a million volt spark between point and plane by Allibone and Schonland3 and by Schonland and others4 for certain types of lightning flashes. In order to obtain more information about the initial breakdown in gases, we have undertaken an investigation of the propagation of potential in long discharge tubes when impulsive voltages are applied to one end of the tube while the other end is earthed.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
References
” Recent Researches”, 115 (1893).
Beams, Phys. Rev., 36, 997 (1930).
Allibon and Schonland, NATURE, 134, 736 (1934).
Schonland, Malan and Collins, Proc. Roy. Soc., A, 152, 595 (1935).
Beams and Snoddy, Phys. Rev., 44, 784 (1933).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
SNODDY, L., BEAMS, J., HAM, W. et al. Transmission of High-Voltage Impulses at Controllable Speed. Nature 138, 167 (1936). https://doi.org/10.1038/138167a0
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/138167a0
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.