Electric strength of dielectrics under influence of bipolar voltage pulses of submicrosecond duration

Abstract

The development of electric pulse technologies for the destruction of solids states (rocks) --- drilling, cutting and crushing requires reduction of high pulse voltages. In this work, for the first time, studies are proposed and carried out to determine the breakdown voltages of various dielectric media (air, water, rocks) while simultaneously supplying two pulses to the electrode system by two high voltage generators of different polarity --- positive and negative, which halves the operating impulse voltage each generator. In addition, experiments have shown that for all media there is a decrease in breakdown voltage in comparison with a monopolar voltage pulse, which reaches 28% --- for the breakdown of sandstone, 23% --- granite, 24% --- water, 25% --- air. A physical explanation of the discovered effect is given. Keywords: monopolar and bipolar pulse voltage, breakdown voltage, discharge channel.