Single-gap pseudospark discharge experiments

Abstract

An experimental investigation of a single-gap pseudospark was conducted using a flexible discharge chamber. The voltage breakdown characteristics were studied against a wide range of parameters such as gas pressure, gap separation, cathode cavity depth, cathode aperture size, external capacitance and applied voltage. An empirical formula, VB=(0.20±0.05) p−4.02±0.18 d−1.77±0.01, was obtained for the breakdown voltage VB in kV, given the gas pressure p in Torr and the gap separation d in mm. The electron beam extracted from this single gap was also studied and a current of up to 100 A was measured at 10 kV.