Water is a polar liquid with a high electrical permitivity (εr = 80) and a specific electrical conductivity
σ. For a time τ of exposure of water to an electric field, when τ ε/σ, the aqueous
solution behaves as a dielectric medium, while for much longer times (τ ε/σ) it behaves
as a resistive medium. Deionized and degassed water (σ < 1 µS/cm, ε/σ > 7 µs) has been
commonly used as a dielectric in pulse forming lines for the generation of extremely high pulse