Observation of hard radiations in a laboratory atmospheric high-voltage discharge

TL;DR

This study reports the detection of neutron and hard x-ray emissions during laboratory high-voltage air discharges, revealing their dependence on electrode geometry and complex temporal structures, suggesting multiple radiation generation mechanisms.

Contribution

It provides new experimental evidence of neutron emission in laboratory atmospheric discharges and analyzes their temporal and spatial characteristics, highlighting the influence of electrode shape and electric field.

Findings

Neutron and hard x-ray emissions depend on electrode geometry.

Neutron bursts show complex temporal structures.

Different mechanisms may generate penetrating radiation during discharge.

Abstract

The new results concerning neutron emission detection from a laboratory high-voltage discharge in the air are presented. Data were obtained with a combination of plastic scintillation detectors and $^3$He filled counters of thermal neutrons. Strong dependence of the hard x-ray and neutron radiation appearance on the field strength near electrodes, which is determined by their form, was found. We have revealed a more sophisticated temporal structure of the neutron bursts observed during of electric discharge. This may indicate different mechanisms for generating penetrating radiation at the time formation and development of the atmospheric discharge.