Abstract
Abstract This paper discusses experimental data and simple mathematical models of pulsed breakdown of water. This is essential for pulsed high-power energy science. The proposed model is based on the assumption that during discharge from the anode, the emission of charge carriers does not occur until the pre-breakdown values of the electric field strength is reached. During discharge initiation from the cathode, electron emission occurs in a comparatively weak field. The resulting space charge near the electrode causes negative pressure, cavitation, gas diffusion into the bubble and a partial discharge within it, culminating in the formation of a subsonic cathode streamer. When calculating the electric field strength near the usually assumed micropoints, the dipole saturation effect is taken into account, causing an abnormal increase in the electric field strength at the micropoint in the case of discharge ignition from the anode. This again leads to bubble formation, a partial discharge in it, which leads to the initiation of the anode streamer. The bubble model of pulsed discharge ignition in water explains all the widely known dependencies of pulsed electrical strength on external and internal factors (pulse duration, pressure, temperature, dielectric permittivity, viscosity). The polarity effect is also explained within the model.