Non-equilibrium nanosecond-pulsed plasma generation in the liquid phase (water, PDMS) without bubbles: Fast imaging, spectroscopy and leader-type model

In this paper we report the results on study of the non-equilibrium nanosecond discharge generation in liquid media. Here we studied the discharge in both water and silicon transformer oil, and present our findings on discharge behaviour depending on global (applied) electric, discharge emission spectrum and shadow imaging of the discharge. We also discuss possible scenarios of non-equilibrium nanosecond discharge development and suggest that the discharge operates in a leader-type regime supported by the electrostriction effect - creation of nano-sized pores in liquid due to high local electric field.