Observations of Pulsed Bi-polar Discharges in Saline Solutions with Pin to Plate Electrodes

In this study, we have been investigated pin to plate pulsed bi-polar discharges in saline solutions, where bubble generation occurs. We integrate basic I-V-t electrical characteristics with the ICCD shadowgraph images, and finally instant and time averaged I-V waveforms. We observed that the bubble formation phase dynamics is quite different corresponding to the polarity applied to the pin electrode. When the pin electrode is a cathode, the bubble tends to be periodically detached from the pin electrode and the numerous tiny voltage spikes occur related to the electron emission from a pin cathode casing via, we judge from, direct dissociation of water molecules by energetic electrons. On the contrary, the bubble tends to stick to the pin electrode, when the pin electrode is anode; the bubble grows in size throughout the pulse duration. The dynamic electrical characteristics relative to the applied polarity of a pin electrode are presented and discussed by analysis of time averaged I-V waveforms.