Unrestricted.2016-11-142011-02-192016-11-141979-12http://hdl.handle.net/2346/21135A coaxial system was designed and constructed to investigate electron beam initiated discharges in high pressure gases. An electron beam was fired axially into a gap formed by an interruption in the center conductor of the coaxial system to initiate a discharge. Photographic techniques were used as diagnostics to examine the physical processes occurring in the discharge. Open shutter photographs revealed broad discharge channels with spatial dimensions approximately equal to the spatial dimensions of the electron beam. Streak photographs of the discharge provided evidence that an avalanche process was occurring in the discharge.application/pdfengElectron beamsElectric spark gapsBreakdown (Electricity)Electric discharges through gasesThesis