Electric explosion and breakdown in thin electrolyte layers

The dynamics of electric explosion and breakdown in thin-layer electrolyte conductors have been experimentally studied for the first time at an applied voltage of 0.8–1.6 kV. Pulsating spark discharges in vapor bubbles have been observed. The explosion of a thin electrolyte layer is accompanied by the development of breakdowns in discontinuities with subsequent transition to a quasi-steady-state arc regime. The phenomena of (i) gap self-leveling at the front of breakdown between liquid electrodes and (ii) shift of the arc discharge front toward the cathode have been observed.