Mass erosion and surface-voltage holdoff recovery of insulators used in a high-current high-vacuum surface discharge switch

Thomas G. Engel; S. L. Wester; Magne Kristiansen; Lynn L. Hatfield

doi:10.1117/12.174659

1 May 1994 Mass erosion and surface-voltage holdoff recovery of insulators used in a high-current high-vacuum surface discharge switch

Thomas G. Engel, S. L. Wester, Magne Kristiansen, Lynn L. Hatfield

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Proceedings Volume 2259, XVI International Symposium on Discharges and Electrical Insulation in Vacuum; (1994) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.174659
Event: XVI International Symposium on Discharges and Electrical Insulation in Vacuum, 1994, Moscow-St. Petersburg, Russian Federation

Abstract

A high current surface discharge across the surface of an insulator in high vacuum is investigated. The mass erosion of the insulator and its surface voltage holdoff recovery are the two most important parameters of this investigation. Typically, the discharge current reaches approximately 350 kA peak with a pulse length of approximately 60 microsecond(s) (approximately 5 periods of a damped sinusoidal pulse). The vacuum level is maintained at approximately 10^-6 Torr. The insulator materials tested include a variety of polymeric (i.e., polyethylene, nylon, epoxy-fiberglass composites, and polyurethane) and ceramic (alumina, silicon nitride, and zirconia) insulators. Insulator mass erosion and surface voltage holdoff recovery versus electrode material has also been investigated. The electrode materials used include stainless steel, molybdenum, copper, copper-tungsten, brass, aluminum, and lead. Insulator materials that have low mass erosion and good surface voltage holdoff recovery have potential applications in high power vacuum switches. Breakdown voltage histories and mass erosion data were obtained for the plastics, but only breakdown voltages were obtained for the ceramics.

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Thomas G. Engel, S. L. Wester, Magne Kristiansen, and Lynn L. Hatfield "Mass erosion and surface-voltage holdoff recovery of insulators used in a high-current high-vacuum surface discharge switch", Proc. SPIE 2259, XVI International Symposium on Discharges and Electrical Insulation in Vacuum, (1 May 1994); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.174659

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KEYWORDS

Electrodes

Ceramics

Dielectrics

Switches

Lead

Polyurethane

Silicon

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