TY - GEN
T1 - SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL PROGRESS OF PSEUDOSPARK DEVICES
AU - Frank, K.
AU - Bickes, Ch
AU - Dewald, E.
AU - Ernst, U.
AU - Iberler, M.
AU - Meier, J.
AU - Prucker, U.
AU - Rainer, A.
AU - Schlaug, M.
AU - Schwab, J.
AU - Urban, J.
AU - Weisser, W.
AU - Hoffmann, D. H.H.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 1998 IEEE.
PY - 1998
Y1 - 1998
N2 - The paper presents an overview on the state- of-the-art of research and development with pseudospark devices. There is worldwide an ongoing interest in this novel low pressure gas discharge device. This is proved by the several papers recently published. Careful studies of breakdown characteristics with two- electrode pseudospark devices show that the simple relation of the old Paschen law is no more applicable to this geometry. Especially for operating the pseudospark reliably at low gas pressure it is necessary to superimpose external magnetic fields to initiate the discharge. At low pressure intense beam formation is enhanced but in parallel is hampered by less efficient space-charge-neutralization. Based on the original pseudospark geometry several modified beam configurations were developed like the channel spark and the preionization-controlled open-ended hollow cathode system. In pulsed electrical circuits for discharge currents below 10 kA distinct discharge phenomena appear which have to be supressed for any application. One of them are transient impedance transitions correlated with steps in forward voltage drop. By geometry and choice of electrode material the irregular transitions in impedance can be controlled ever a wide parameter range. Another annoying effect is quenching obvious by sudden and irregular interruption of the discharge current. Quenching is observed as a random effect, which is influenced by a manifold of parameters. Results from the experiment indicate that quenching is strongly dependent on the number density of gas atoms of gas atoms in the discharge volume. Since Siliconcarbide (SiC) as part of the switch electrode downsizes the quenching current to negligible values (< 1 kA) optical spectroscopy was used to investigate the influence of this semiconducting material on the temporal development of the discharge, by looking for emission lines of the released silicon and/or carbon atoms. The technological aspects of pseudospark devices naturally are to achieve higher lifetime and improved overall reliability. Multichannel configurations and two-gap systems are under development to reduce erosion rate and to increase holdoff capability, respectively. Under clean conditions a hold-off voltage of 65 kV was realized by a two-gap system.
AB - The paper presents an overview on the state- of-the-art of research and development with pseudospark devices. There is worldwide an ongoing interest in this novel low pressure gas discharge device. This is proved by the several papers recently published. Careful studies of breakdown characteristics with two- electrode pseudospark devices show that the simple relation of the old Paschen law is no more applicable to this geometry. Especially for operating the pseudospark reliably at low gas pressure it is necessary to superimpose external magnetic fields to initiate the discharge. At low pressure intense beam formation is enhanced but in parallel is hampered by less efficient space-charge-neutralization. Based on the original pseudospark geometry several modified beam configurations were developed like the channel spark and the preionization-controlled open-ended hollow cathode system. In pulsed electrical circuits for discharge currents below 10 kA distinct discharge phenomena appear which have to be supressed for any application. One of them are transient impedance transitions correlated with steps in forward voltage drop. By geometry and choice of electrode material the irregular transitions in impedance can be controlled ever a wide parameter range. Another annoying effect is quenching obvious by sudden and irregular interruption of the discharge current. Quenching is observed as a random effect, which is influenced by a manifold of parameters. Results from the experiment indicate that quenching is strongly dependent on the number density of gas atoms of gas atoms in the discharge volume. Since Siliconcarbide (SiC) as part of the switch electrode downsizes the quenching current to negligible values (< 1 kA) optical spectroscopy was used to investigate the influence of this semiconducting material on the temporal development of the discharge, by looking for emission lines of the released silicon and/or carbon atoms. The technological aspects of pseudospark devices naturally are to achieve higher lifetime and improved overall reliability. Multichannel configurations and two-gap systems are under development to reduce erosion rate and to increase holdoff capability, respectively. Under clean conditions a hold-off voltage of 65 kV was realized by a two-gap system.
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/0032291391
U2 - 10.1109/DEIV.1998.740646
DO - 10.1109/DEIV.1998.740646
M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:0032291391
T3 - Proceedings - International Symposium on Discharges and Electrical Insulation in Vacuum, ISDEIV
SP - 363
EP - 373
BT - Proceedings - ISDEIV 1998
PB - Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
T2 - 18th International Symposium on Discharges and Electrical Insulation in Vacuum, ISDEIV 1998
Y2 - 17 August 1998 through 21 August 1998
ER -