Influence of the circuit impedance on an electron beam controlled diffuse discharge with a negative differential conductivity

Abstract

The use of attaching gases in an externally sustained diffuse discharge opening switch with a low attachment rate at low values of E/N and a high attachment rate at high values of E/N allows the discharge to operate with low losses in the closed switch phase and to achieve fast opening after the sustainment source is turned off. Such an attacher generates a J-E/N characteristic with a negative differential conductivity in an intermediate E/N range. Such a characteristic obstructs the closing process of the discharge if it is operated in a high impedance system. Experiments demonstrating these effects are presented for electron beam sustained discharges in mixtures of argon and C2F6.