Qualitative model of breakdown in SF₆in inhomogeneous gaps

Abstract

The breakdown mechanism for an inhomogeneous field geometry in SF6 depends on the pressure and can be divided into a streamer dominated and a leader dominated region. Based on leader propagation criteria a model is given that qualitatively describes the pressure dependence of the breakdown voltage in inhomogeneous gaps as well as the influence of the pulse rise-time, polarity and gap geometry.