Statistical reliability of time delay values for nitrogen-filled tube at pressure of 1.3 mbar

The analysis of breakdown time delay t d in the case when only nitrogen atoms, remaining from the previous discharge, induce breakdown (afterglow periods 3–10 s) is performed. It is shown that mean values and standard deviation of t d slightly fluctuate with the increase of number of measurements N. However, theoretical analysis shows the improvement of the t d experimental value fittings by exponential distribution with the increase of N. In order to increase statistical reliability, a specially designed system for accurate measurement and data acquisition has been designed and realized. In the case of N=1000, the experimental values of t d are correctly fitted by Laue distribution, which confirms the importance of the choice of number of measurements.