Modeling of self-breakdown voltage statistics in high-energy spark gaps

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Abstract
A model which incorporates the influence of electrode surface conditions, gas pressure, and charging rate on the voltage stability of high energy spark gaps is discussed. Experimental results support several predictions of the model; namely, that increasing the pressure and the rate of voltage charging both produce a broadening of the self-breakdown voltage distribution, whereas a narrow voltage distribution can be produced by supplying a copious source of electrons at the cathode surface. Experimental results also indicate that two different mechanisms can produce this broadening, both of which can be taken into account with the use of the model presented. Further implications of the model include changes in the width of the self-breakdown voltage probability density function as the primary emission characteristics of the cathode are modified by, for example, oxide or nitride coatings and/or deposits from the insulator. Overall, the model provides a useful and physically sound framework from which the properties of spark gaps under a wide variety of experimental conditions may be evaluated.

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