A system for gas electrical breakdown time delay measurements based on a microcontroller

Abstract

A new system, called gasmem v1.0, for the measurements of gas electrical breakdown time delay (td), with significantly better characteristics than older systems, has been developed and realized. It is based on the PIC 18F4550 microcontroller and could measure the minimal td of about 1.5 μs with the resolution of 83.33 ns. The relaxation (afterglow) period (τ) could vary from 1 to 232 ms (≈50 days). The successive series of td measurements with various τ could be performed, giving very reliable td data that are stored on the personal computer (PC) hard drive via the USB interface. The td and τ values enable the drawing of memory curves (⟨td⟩ = f(τ)) and the analysis of memory effects in the gases. The randomness of td values measured by the gasmem system for more τ values was tested using the nonparametric Wald–Wolfowitz test showing the stochastic nature of obtained results. The memory curves obtained by this system have shown very high reproducibility. In addition, the system has a capability of operating as a stand-alone system (independently of a PC), with the possibility for the implementation of a touch screen for controlling the system and additional memory (e.g. memory card) for data storage.

Experimental investigations of time delay distributions inside a commercial gas tube

“…[16]. The maximal rise time of the applied voltage U W in used gasmem v1.0 system is 400 ns for U W = 900 V. The minimal measured value of the t D is about 800 ns [16], which is determined by used electronics.…”

“…The maximal rise time of the applied voltage U W in used gasmem v1.0 system is 400 ns for U W = 900 V. The minimal measured value of the t D is about 800 ns [16], which is determined by used electronics. The values of relaxation time  and glow time t G can be changed in the range from 1 to 2 32 ms, and ≈50 days, respectively [16].…”

“…In addition, the values of applied voltages U W and measured values of time delay t D are presented in the same figure. During the t D , the current through the gas, initially being equal to zero, rapidly increases for a few ns reaching the value I 0 at the moment when the gas breakdown starts (see Figure 1) [16]. During the time interval τ, voltage is absent (U W = 0), while during the t G , the voltage on tube is equal U W and the current I G flows through the tube.…”

“…The measuring system gasmem v1.0 [16] is used for determining the values of the t D . In this system t D is time from applying voltage U W on the electrode of the gas discharge tubes to the appearance of the current I 0 which is equal to 90% of the glow current, I G (total current through the gas).…”

Breakdown in low pressure Ne gas: mechanisms and statistical analysis of time delay

“…The gasmem v1.0 system [17] is used for measuring the time delay. The last is defined as time interval between the moment when the working voltage U W is applied on the diode and the moment when the desirable current I 0 (90% of I G , i.e.…”