Dynamic electric breakdown modeling of quasi-uniform, dielectric-bounded gas gaps
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Date
2024-05Type
- Working Paper
ETH Bibliography
yes
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Abstract
The motivating problem for this paper is the determination of the probability of breakdown of small (< mm) quasi-uniform, dielectric-bounded air gaps under short transient voltages (some ns to us). Guidelines for answering this question are of importance in many areas of applied plasma physics, ranging from new spark ignition concepts with ultrashort high-voltage pulses (consistent high breakdown voltage desired) to the avoidance of the inception of partial discharges in the turn-to-turn insulation of electric motors driven by wide-bandgap inverters. To this end, the paper provides a general theoretical and conceptual framework for the characterization of the electrical breakdown modes in quasi-uniform gas gaps bounded by dielectric layers of thickness s and relative permittivity eps_r, with metallic electrodes being included in the limit s/eps_r -> 0. The characterization includes the determination of the formative time of the identified breakdown modes, their probability of occurrence for given system parameters, as well as examples of breakdown probabilities under transient voltages. It is shown that owing to the fast secondary electron feedback by photoeffect at the cathode, the formative time for the occurrence of a dark-to-glow transition (Townsend breakdown) drops rapidly with overvoltage, such that the Townsend threshold retains its relevance even with short overvoltage transients. Show more
Permanent link
https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000672178Publication status
publishedPublisher
ETH Zurich, High Voltage LaboratorySubject
electrical breakdown; breakdown probability; formative time; streamer discharge; Townsend discharge; twisted pair; dielectric barrier dischargeOrganisational unit
03869 - Franck, Christian / Franck, Christian
Notes
The paper was rejected by Journal of Physics D: Applied PhysicsMore
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ETH Bibliography
yes
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