and an equally short formative time lag required for
the voltage breakdown or fast current increase within the breakdown channel
(see Fig. 5.42). The limitation in gap distance provides a fairly homogeneous
field distribution so that no predischarge or corona appears before breakdown;
the formative time lags are, therefore, also short. The permanent presence of
primary or initiatory electrons within the regions of maximum field gradients
to start critical avalanches within a short time lag is of great importance. The
electrical field distribution within the high field regions must sufficiently be
controlled by the geometry of the electrode and the air density as well as its
composition must be known. Air is composed of various types of molecules
which will influence the breakdown voltage. All these influences can be
accounted for by the well-known breakdown criteria of gases (see Chapter 5)
besides the primary electron impact, whose presence is a prerequisite.