Reframes the conventional question. Discharges naturally follow the E
field gradient; branching arises from specific randomizing mechanisms
(low frequency cooling reset, simultaneous multi-channel inception,
inter-pulse memory erasure, stochastic perturbations). QCW eliminates
the randomizers, revealing the default straight-line behavior.
Insight from external reviewer discussion.
Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>
Three mechanisms explain sword spark straightness: axial field
concentration at the leader tip, directional thermal pre-conditioning
of gas ahead, and cold-air confinement restricting lateral breakout.
Connects to the "too long ramp" regime where forward bias disappears
and branching returns. Prompted by external reviewer question.
Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>
Joe DiPrima