Precise triggering of electrical discharges by ultraviolet laser radiation for the investigation of ignition processes

Ignitions caused by low energy electrical discharges represent a potential risk in explosion protection. However, the random nature of such discharges poses a major obstacle to experimental investigations. In the present paper we propose a means of triggering the discharge by ultraviolet radiation from a pulsed laser. Thus, a sufficient number of free electrons is generated in the spark gap to initiate a discharge. Through this method we achieve a precise timing and a high reproducibility of the discharge. Therefore, the proposed approach opens a new possibility for the detailed investigation of ignition processes through electrostatic discharges.