Time-resolved polarization-sensitive measurements of the electric field in a sliding discharge by means of dc field-induced coherent Raman scattering

We investigated the properties of the IR signal generated through coherent Raman scattering involving the Q(1) transition ( v = 0, J = 1 --> v = 1, J = 1) of a hydrogen molecule in the presence of the quasi-static electric field of the sliding discharge propagating along a ferrite surface in a hydrogen atmosphere. The results of time-resolved polarization-sensitive measurements performed on this signal were employed to determine the parameters of the electric field in the sliding discharge. These measurements showed, in particular, that the propagation of the discharge leader along the ferrite surface is accompanied by the rotation of the vector of the quasi-static electric field. Copyright (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.