Leader discharges in SF₆

Abstract

Based on a set of time resolved measurements of a surface discharge in compressed SF6, a simplified leader model is developed. The model is based on the material properties of the gas and a set of integral scaling laws describing approximately the basic physical processes involved in the discharge. The model consistently describes the characteristics of the surface discharge as a function of gas pressure, polarity and gap geometry. It also shows promise to be applicable to other discharge geometries, e.g. point-to-plane gaps. Several aspects of the discharge process in SF6 are shown to be different from those in air.