Synergetic effect in a mixture of noble gases around the Paschen minimum

Abstract

DC and pulse breakdown in the He-Ar gas mixture are investigated for small pressures and inter-electrode gaps. Expressions for calculating the breakdown voltage of a gas mixture are derived, assuming that breakdown occurs by way of the Townsend breakdown mechanism and that Maxwell spectrum can be used for the free electron gas. The parameters considered in experiments have been chosen so as to be of interest in designing gas-filled surge arresters. The obtained results demonstrate that the derived breakdown voltage expressions are correct, and that a suitable choice of parameters can produce a positive synergetic effect with regard to gas-filled surge arrester design. The latter issue is especially interesting for lowering the dc breakdown voltage of unconditioned electrodes.