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Title: Paschen's curve in microgaps with an electrode surface protrusion

Journal Article · · Applied Physics Letters
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5045182 · OSTI ID:1540248

Paschen's curve in microgaps with a hemi-ellipsoidal protrusion on the electrode surface is examined using a two-dimensional fluid model. The breakdown voltage is identified when the discharge enters the subnormal region, according to voltage-current characteristics. It is discovered that the breakdown in a microgap with a surface protrusion on the electrode can result in a combined Paschen's curve, which transits from long-gap (distance between the cathode and anode without the presence of protrusion) behavior at low pressure to short-gap (distance between the protrusion apex to the opposite electrode) behavior at high pressure. As gas pressure decreases, the length of the optimal discharge path increases, automatically moving from the top of the protrusion to its side surface and then to the wider non-protrusion electrode gap. The effects of the protrusion height and radius as well as the discharge polarity on the Paschen's curve are viewed in detail. The effects of the protrusion aspect ratio on field enhancement are also considered. Our report provides insights into the design of microgaps with controlled breakdown voltage across many orders in pressure via engineered electrode morphology.

Research Organization:
Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC); US Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR)
Grant/Contract Number:
SC0001939
OSTI ID:
1540248
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1462791
Journal Information:
Applied Physics Letters, Vol. 113, Issue 5; ISSN 0003-6951
Publisher:
American Institute of Physics (AIP)Copyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 29 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

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Cited By (6)

The effects of the tube diameter on the discharge ignition and the plasma properties of atmospheric-pressure microplasma confined inside capillary journal January 2019
How does the moderate wavy surface affect the discharge behavior in an atmospheric helium dielectric barrier discharge model? journal December 2019
Unification of field emission and space charge limited emission with collisions journal January 2019
Gas breakdown and its scaling law in microgaps with multiple concentric cathode protrusions journal January 2019
Evaluating microgap breakdown mode transition with electric field non-uniformity journal September 2018
Electrical breakdown from macro to micro/nano scales: a tutorial and a review of the state of the art journal February 2020