A multiple-frame ultrafast laser schlieren system for the observation of prebreakdown phenomena in fluids in the nanosecond range

The design and applications of a six-frame ultrafast schlieren photography system for studying the initial stage of the electric breakdown in fluids are discussed. The system is based on a compact optical delay line which allows a simple continuous adjustment of the time interval between the frames over the range 5-50 ns. The light source consists of a 5-ns ruby laser. The static spatial resolution of the schlieren system is 20-25 microns. Results of observations of transient prebreakdown processes in fluids in the nanosecond range are presented.