Experimental investigation of surface flashover in vacuum using nanosecond pulses

Based on a Marx generator and a coaxial pulse forming line, an experimental investigation of surface flashover characteristics in vacuum is conducted by using nanosecond pulses of 10 ns rise time and 30 ns full width at half maximum (FWHM). Insulator dielectrics chosen for this investigation are Teflon, PMMA and Nylon. The tested factors include gas pressure, cone angle of conical frustum, diameter and length of cylindrical insulator, material and shape of electrode, and contact style between insulator and electrodes. The effects of these parameters on the surface flashover characteristics are described and analyzed in this paper. In addition, the character of flashover time lag in the nanosecond range, and surface flashover theory in vacuum charged by nanosecond pulses are also discussed. Index Terms--Surface flashover, vacuum, nanosecond pulse, cathode triple junction, electron emission.