Characteristics of a high-current impulse discharge in air with ecton mechanism of vapour injection of copper in the discharge gap

The characteristics of a bipolar high-current nanosecond discharge in the air between the copper electrodes is given. With an inter-electrode distance of 1-2 mm and the air pressure of 0.05-3.0 atm the conditions of obtaining a homogeneous volume discharge in the inhomogeneous electric field, associated with the generation of a beam of runaway electrons and concomitant X-ray radiation, are realized. It is shown that this discharge is a simple point source of radiation in the spectral range of 200-230 nm on the transitions of singly charged copper ions. The results of optimization of the UV - emitter depending on the pump conditions and parameters of the discharge medium are provided. It is found that, under the influence of a discharge, a deposition of thin nanostructured membranes made of electrodes erosion products and products of dissociation of air molecules is possible