A Condition on Uniform Field Breakdown in Electron-Attaching Gases

Abstract

The usual form of breakdown potential curves indicates that at large $\mathrm{pd}$ an asymptotic value of $\frac{E}{p}$ seems to exist, below which breakdown does not occur. A study of the equation for steady-state current in electron-attaching gases suggests that this ${(\frac{E}{p})}_{\mathrm{lim}}$ is nearly that for which the ionization and attachment coefficients are equal. Substantial agreement is found in C${\mathrm{Cl}}_{4}$, C${\mathrm{F}}_{3}$S${\mathrm{F}}_{5}$, C${\mathrm{Cl}}_{2}$${\mathrm{F}}_{2}$, S${\mathrm{F}}_{6}$, air, and ${\mathrm{O}}_{2}$ between values of ${(\frac{E}{p})}_{\mathrm{lim}}$ so determined and those found experimentally. The order of ${(\frac{E}{p})}_{\mathrm{lim}}$ for these gases corresponds closely to that of their dielectric strengths.