The study of the transient conductivity of pulse irradiated dielectric liquids on a nanosecond timescale using microwaves

The method of measuring conductivity changes in pulse irradiated liquids, on a ns timescale, by microwave absorption is described. Quantitative relationships between the measured absorption signal and the change in conductivity are derived for several cell designs. The method is compared with optical absorption and DC conductivity techniques for the detection of ion formation. The value of the product of the free ion yield and the electron mobility in 2,2,4 trimethylpentane (iso-octane) is found to be 1.62 x 10-4m2V-1s-1 (100eV)-1. Electron-positive ion recombination in iso-octane is found to obey the Debye relation. (author)