Single-shot observation of growing streamers using an ultrafast camera

Takahashi, Eiichi*; Kato, Susumu*; Furutani, Hirohide*; Sasaki, Akira; Kishimoto, Yasuaki*; Takada, Kenji*; Matsumura, Satoshi*; Sasaki, Hiroyasu*

A recently developed ultrafast camera that can acquire frames per second was used to investigate positive streamer discharge. It enabled single-shot evaluation of streamer evolution without the need to consider shot-to-shot reproducibility. This camera was used to investigate streamers in argon. Growing branches, the transition when a streamer forms a return stroke, and related phenomena were clearly observed.