Pulsed Breakdown Research Articles

Short-pulse high-power microwave breakdown at high pressures**Project supported by the National Basic Research Program of China (Grant No. 2013CB328904), the NSAF of China (Grant No. U1330109), and 2012 Doctoral Innovation Funds of Southwest Jiaotong University.

The fluid model is proposed to investigate the gas breakdown driven by a short-pulse (such as a Gaussian pulse) high-power microwave at high pressures. However, the fluid model requires specification of the electron energy distribution function (EEDF); the common assumption of a Maxwellian EEDF can result in the inaccurate breakdown prediction when the electrons are not in equilibrium. We confirm that the influence of the incident pulse shape on the EEDF is tiny at high pressures by using the particle-in-cell Monte Carlo collision (PIC-MCC) model. As a result, the EEDF for a rectangular microwave pulse directly derived from the Boltzmann equation solver Bolsig+ is introduced into the fluid model for predicting the breakdown threshold of the non-rectangular pulse over a wide range of pressures, and the obtained results are very well matched with those of the PIC-MCC simulations. The time evolution of a non-rectangular pulse breakdown in gas, obtained by the fluid model with the EEDF from Bolsig+, is presented and analyzed at different pressures. In addition, the effect of the incident pulse shape on the gas breakdown is discussed.

A large-dynamic-range current probe for microsecond pulsed vacuum breakdown research.

A large-dynamic-range current probe for microsecond pulsed vacuum breakdown research is fabricated. The basic principle of this probe is to turn the current signal to a voltage one via a load of fixed impedance and to test the voltage signal via a voltage divider of adjustable voltage ratio. With a segment of 40-Ω coaxial line, which is connected to the experimental chamber, and a self-fabricated two-stage resistor-capacitor voltage divider, the current probe is realized and is applied to test the vacuum breakdown current for 3-cm parallel-plate electrodes under microsecond pulses. The results show that the current probe is capable of responding to current signals with an amplitude of 10(-2)-10(3) A and a duration of 10(-2)-10(1) μs. Based on the current probe, the characteristics of the vacuum breakdown current under 30-μs quasi-sinusoidal pulses are summarized. The potential mechanisms for each type of current are also discussed in this paper.

Electric pulse breakdown and rock fracture in a coupled environment of increased pressure and temperature

This paper represents the research results of electric breakdown of drilling fluid Versa Pro and rocks, as well as rock fracture caused by pulsed electric discharge in a coupled environment of increased pressure and temperature. It proves that rock destruction including rock boring by means of electric discharge is possible at a depth of down to 3500 m.

Numerical Generation of a Statistic Sample of the Pulse Breakdown Voltage Random Variable in SF6Gas With Homogenous and Nonhomogenous Electric Field

This paper considers the possibility of numerical generation of pulse breakdown voltage random variable in SF6 gas. A theoretically constructed model was tested at low, medium, and high values of pd product (pressure × interelectrode distance), ranging from 0.1 mbar mm to 50 bar mm. Numerical generation of the statistic sample of the pulse breakdown voltage random variable was performed in homogenous and nonhomogenous fields. Variable experiment parameters were the pulse rise rates (from 1 to 400 kV/μs). Obtained results indicate that the proposed theoretical-numerical model is absolutely satisfactory at high values of pd product (10-50 bar mm), which is the very region of SF6 gas application. At lower values of pd product (less than 10 bar mm), there are certain deviations between a numerically generated statistic sample of the pulse breakdown voltage random variable and the one obtained experimentally. However, this deviation is not relevant from the aspect of engineering practice.

Study on Relationships between High-Frequency High-Voltage Pulse Breakdown Voltage of Air-Gaps and Pulse Delay Time

In the paper, power frequency and high-frequency high-voltage pulse breakdown voltage of air-gaps were measured by circuits of spark gap switches respectively, and then output waveforms were obtained by sampling circuits, finally a large number of data in experiments were recorded and were drawn into curves. It can be seen from curves: firstly, relationships between pulse breakdown voltage of air-gaps and pulse delay time or between pulse breakdown voltage of air-gaps and pulse coefficient are discussed when electrodes and distances between electrodes are different, secondly, relationships between pulse breakdown voltage and air-gap distances are analyzed under 100kHz pulse voltage when electrodes are spherical electrodes.

Trapping and Reliability Assessment in D-Mode GaN-Based MIS-HEMTs for Power Applications

This paper reports on an extensive analysis of the trapping processes and of the reliability of experimental AlGaN/GaN MIS-HEMTs, grown on silicon substrate. The study is based on combined pulsed characterization, transient investigation, breakdown, and reverse-bias stress tests, and provides the following, relevant, information: 1) the exposure to high gate-drain reverse-bias may result in a recoverable increase in the on-resistance (RON), and in a slight shift in threshold voltage; 2) devices with a longer gate-drain distance show a stronger increase in RON, compared to smaller devices; 3)current transient measurements indicate the existence of one trap level, with activation energy of 1.03 ± 0.09 eV; and 4) we demonstrate that through the improvement of the fabrication process, it is possible to design devices with negligible trapping. Furthermore, the degradation of the samples was studied by means of step-stress experiments in off-state. Results indicate that exposure to moderate-high reverse bias (<; 250 V for LGD = 2 μm) does not induce any measurable degradation, thus confirming the high reliability of the analyzed samples. A permanent degradation is detected only for very high reverse voltages (typically, VDS = 260-265 V, on a device with LGD = 2 μm stressed with VGS = - 8 V) and consists of a rapid increase in gate leakage current, followed by a catastrophic failure. EL measurements and microscopy investigation revealed that degradation occurs close to the gate, in proximity of the sharp edges of the drain contacts, i.e., in a region where the electric field is maximum.

Resistance of a pulsed electrical breakdown channel in ionic crystals

A technique for estimating the resistance of the electrical breakdown channel in ionic crystals is proposed. This technique is based on measuring the channel velocity in a sample when a ballast resistor is connected to the circuit of a needle anode and on using the theoretical dependence of the channel velocity on the channel conductivity. The breakdown channel resistance at a voltage of 140 kV is about 6.5 kΩ in KCl and about 6.1 kΩ in KBr. These resistances are shown to characterize a gas phase. The gas-phase resistance is found to be nonuniform along the breakdown channel. The head part ∼1 mm long has the maximum resistance. This head region is concluded to contain dielectric substance clusters, which then decompose into metal and halogen ions. The cluster lifetime is ∼10−9 s.

Successive laser-induced breakdowns in atmospheric pressure air and premixed ethane–air mixtures

Two successive focused laser pulses are employed to experimentally simulate laser-induced breakdown plasmas at high repetition rates. We find that energy absorption of the second laser pulse by the plasma produced by the first laser pulse is enhanced slightly when the time interval between the pulses is shorter than several tens of nanoseconds but falls to almost zero when the time interval is between a few hundreds of nanoseconds and several tens of microseconds. This behavior is attributed to gas heating by the first breakdown event. In premixed ethane–air mixtures, we identify another strong reduction in the second laser pulse absorption when this pulse coincides with the heat released by combustion, typically milliseconds after the first laser pulse. The fuel–air equivalence ratio (ϕ) and base flow speed are also varied in this study. The results show that the window of reduced absorption coinciding with heat release due to combustion is narrowed when the base flow speed is increased, and also under fuel lean and fuel rich conditions. These results suggest that the use of pulsed high frequency laser breakdowns for premixed combustion stabilization is optimized when laser pulse repetition rates below a certain frequency (e.g., 500Hz at the conditions that ϕ is 1 and the base flow speed is 4.9m/s) to maximize laser energy coupling and for improved anchoring of the flame base.

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

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.

高功率微波脉冲大气击穿概率研究

高功率微波脉冲大气击穿概率研究

Ultra-fast pulsed microwave plasma breakdown: evidence of various ignition modes

In this communication, we investigate the ignition of pulsed microwave plasmas in a narrow dielectric tube with an electrodeless configuration. The plasma is generated using a surfatron cavity. The power is modulated as a square wave with a rise-time of 30 ns at variable frequencies from 100 Hz up to 5 MHz. The ignition and plasma propagation inside the 3 mm radius quartz tube are imaged spatially and resolved with nanosecond time resolution using an iCCD camera.The plasma is found to propagate in the form of a front moving from the launcher to the end of the plasma column with the microwave power being gradually absorbed behind it. The velocity of the plasma front decreases while the plasma goes towards a steady state.The ionization front is found to be strongly non-uniform and various structures as a function of the pulse repetition frequency (i.e. power-off time) are shown in the axial and radial directions. At low frequencies, finger-like structures are found. The plasma becomes more hollow at smaller power-off times. At higher repetition frequencies (kHz regime), a critical repetition frequency is found for which the plasma light intensity sharply increases at the head of the propagation front, taking a shape resembling a plasma bullet. This critical frequency depends on the pressure and power. For even higher frequencies, the bullet shape disappears and plasma volume ignition from the launcher to the end of the plasma column is observed.These results bring a new insight into the ignition mechanisms of pulsed microwave plasmas inside dielectric tubes. A wide variety of effects are found which seem to mostly depend on the background ionization degree. Moreover, the results show that only a 3D time-dependent model can, in general, correctly describe the ignition of a pulsed microwave discharge.

Control and Stabilization of Runaway Electron Emission at the Delay Stage of Pulsed Breakdown in an Overvolted Atmospheric Gap

In this paper, we present investigations of picosecond effects in atmospheric gaps at the stage of a pulsed breakdown delay. It is shown that in centimeter gaps with rapid achievement of multiple overvoltages, the breakdown point, its stability, and development time are determined by the advance emission of runaway electrons. Methods for controlling and stabilizing the temporary and energy characteristics of the flows of these particles are proposed.

The transition of electrons to continuous acceleration mode at subnanosecond pulsed electric breakdown in high-pressure gases

The mode of continuous acceleration of electrons in pulsed nano- and subnanosecond gas discharges is of great importance for making a correct physical model of the pulsed electric breakdown of strongly over-volted gas gaps. ‘Runaway’ or ‘continuously accelerated’ electrons, crossing a discharge area, intensively ionize the gas along their way, which can considerably reduce the time to form breakdown. The creation of an optimum set of conditions for the transition of electrons to the mode of continuous acceleration will allow constructing new types of superfast high-pressure gas dischargers. In this research the experimental results of the registration of runaway electrons in subnanosecond discharges in high-pressure (up to 40 atm) nitrogen are given. In this experiment electrodes that provide the formation of electric field with uniform configuration in the discharge gap were used.

A study of mechanisms involved during the extraction of polyphenols from grape seeds by pulsed electrical discharges

Abstract This paper presents an experimental study of the influence of pulsed electrical discharges of low energy (3 to 10 J) on the extraction of polyphenols from grape seeds. To obtain a better understanding, three basic phenomena involved in the whole discharge process are studied separately: pulsed electric field (PEF), pre-breakdown phase (streamer), and breakdown phase (arc). The polyphenol extraction is much more efficient with arcs, compared to streamers and PEF. Therefore, during the discharge process, the enhancement of polyphenol extraction can be mainly ascribed to the final arc phase. The total energy per unit mass CWp required to extract 5000 mg GAE/100 g DM with the arc (CWp = 16 kJ/kg) is 27 times lower compared to streamers alone, and 47 times lower compared to PEF. An optical study shows that the mechanical effects of arcs (shock waves, expanding cavity, and strong turbulence) are much more pronounced compared to streamers. These mechanical effects are responsible for the fragmentation of grape seeds, and strongly promote the release of polyphenols. Other parameters such as the test cell shape and the inter-electrode distance also show that the polyphenol extraction is further enhanced when grape seeds are in close proximity with the breakdown arc. In optimized conditions, the extraction efficiency with low energy discharges can be significantly higher than previous measurements with high energy discharges. Industrial relevance This paper presents relevant information for the design of generating electrical discharges treatment. The study also addresses a specific case of use of by-products and shows the effectiveness of such technology.

Ecton Mechanism of the Cathode Spot Phenomena in a Vacuum Arc

In this paper, we review the state of the art in studying the physical processes that occur in the cathode spots of vacuum arcs. The now available experimental data are interpreted in the context of the ecton mechanism of the operation of vacuum arc cathode spots. Central in this mechanism is the explosive electron emission, a phenomenon discovered by the author and his co-workers in the mid-1960s while studying high-voltage pulsed vacuum breakdown. In the light of the ecton mechanism, the cathode spot of a vacuum arc consists of individual cells which are explosive emission sites each emitting a portion of electrons termed an ecton. The cathode spot processes are cyclic in nature due to the finiteness of the ecton lifetime. It is shown that an arc is self-sustained due to the explosive emission processes initiated on the interaction of the cathode plasma either with nonmetal inclusions present in the cathode surface (first-type spots) or with liquid metal jets ejected from the zone of an active cathode spot (second-type spots). Attention is focused on the physical processes occurring during the operation of a cathode spot cell. A statistical model of a vacuum arc is used to interpret the effect of the spontaneous extinction of an arc. It is shown that an increase in the arc current is accompanied by a slight increase in the number of simultaneously operating ectons; therefore, as observed in the experiments, the parameters of a vacuum do not greatly depend on the current up to the kiloampere level.

Breakdown of gas gaps in a nonuniform electric field at a subnanosecond voltage pulse rise time

The influence of the nitrogen pressure on the breakdown voltage in a nonuniform electric field is studied. Voltage pulses with nanosecond and subnanosecond rise times are applied to the gas gap. Simultaneously with the application of voltage pulses, supershort avalanche electron beam pulses are observed behind a foil anode. It is found that, when a runaway electron beam is generated and voltage pulses have a subnano-second rise time, the breakdown voltage rises as the nitrogen pressure decreases from 9 × 104 to 1 × 102 Pa. Experimental data are in good agreement with pulsed breakdown analytical curves.

微机电系统微尺度间隙的脉冲击穿特性

微机电系统微尺度间隙的脉冲击穿特性

Streamer-Like Electrical Discharges in Water: Part I. Fundamental Mechanisms

Electrical discharge plasma formed in liquid water is under intensive investigation for many possible applications in biomedical, environmental and chemical engineering as well as for general scientific issues in plasma chemistry and other engineering applications. The subject of pulsed breakdown of water has additionally begun to assume importance due to growing interest in decontamination, purification of water containing chemical impurities and industrial sludge, and also in the emerging area of bio-electrics. This review paper focuses on the plasma physics (Part I) and chemistry of electrical discharges in liquid water and the chemical effects of plasmas on the degradation of organic molecules (Part II). This part discusses dielectric liquid breakdown and its mechanisms, streamer propagation and the effect of electrode polarity on streamer dynamics.

Theoretical study of the initial stage of sub-nanosecond pulsed breakdown in liquid dielectrics

This paper presents a simple theoretical analysis of the initial stage of a sub-nanosecond pulsed high-voltage breakdown in liquid dielectrics. We show that a rapid breakdown is related to a rupture in the continuity of fluid induced by the electrostrictive forces in the inhomogeneous electric field in the vicinity of a needle electrode.

Observation of the Avalanche of Runaway Electrons in Air in a Strong Electric Field

The generation of an avalanche of runaway electrons is demonstrated for the first time in a laboratory experiment. Two flows of runaway electrons are formed sequentially in an extended air discharge gap at the stage of delay of a pulsed breakdown. The first, picosecond, runaway electron flow is emitted in the cathode region where the field is enhanced. Being accelerated in the gap, this beam generates electrons due to impact ionization. These secondary electrons form a delayed avalanche of runaway electrons if the field is strong enough. The properties of the avalanche correspond to the existing notions about the runaway breakdown in air. The measured current of the avalanche exceeds up to an order the current of the initiating electron beam.