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| Dielectric breakdown refers to the formation
of electrically conducting regions in an insulating material exposed to a strong
electric field. |
| For example, the intense electric fields during thunderstorms can
produce a conducting path in the air along which many electrons flow (lightning). |
| A formal model, ignoring the physical details of the processes, was proposed in 1984
by Niemeyer, Pietronero, and Weismann. |
| Here is a brief mathematical description of DBM. |
| Dielectric breakdown patterns exhibit a branching, fractal pattern
with a dimension of about 1.7. |
