Electrical discharges in high vacuum

Abstract

Measurements have been made to investigate the mechanism of the breakdown in high vacuum and of the discharge preceding the breakdown. The results of the measurements have been at variance with the theory of VAN DE GRAAFF and TRUMP as well as with that of CRANBrnG and have clearly shown that the mechanism of a breakdown in high vacuum is identical with the events observed by BOYLE and al. at very low voltages. Thus ir was found possible to forro a uniform picture by which many already wellknown phenomena can be explained.

Disassemblable Vacuum Chamber as an Innovative Test Stand Designed for Research on Improving the Operational Parameters of Power Switching Apparatus

“…(3) where A is the number of positive ions ejected from the anode by one electron, B is the number of electrons released from the cathode by one positive ion, E is the number of negative ions produced by one positive ion and F is the number of positive ions produced by one negative ion.  Hypotheses of mechanisms initiating an electrical breakdown over the field emission of electrons The hypotheses in this group assume the occurrence of microsharpening on the cathode surface and thus an increase in the electric field strength [1,4,10,14]. Thanks to this, field emission of electrons and thus subsequent phenomena that may lead to electric discharge is possible.…”

Über die Natur des Vordurchschlagsstromes im Hochvakuum

“…Bei hoher Spannung liegt hauptsiichlich der obere Emissionszustand vor, der nur gelegentlich durch k m e S p m g e Abb. 4 Elektrodenobsi'and d [mm] Abb. 6.…”

Sur la formation de l'arc électrique dans le vide

“…Il est à noter que les ions positifs venant de la cathode pourraient difficilement être à la base du mécanisme principal de l'amorçage. En effet, cette hypothèse ne serait pas compatible avec les résultats suivants : la durée de la décharge diminue quand on fait croître la tension appliquée, et le champ disruptif diminue quand on augmente la distance interélectrode [7], [8], alors que les ions de la vapeur cathodique ont à remonter un potentiel de plus en plus grand. _ Par contre, il n'est pas impossible que l'arc soit formé par la combinaison d'une vapeur cathodique et d'une vapeur anodique, la dernière jouant un rôle prépondérant.…”