Application of microplasma discharge in a spark gap for high repetitive switching

Abstract

The electrical breakdown in a spark gap for repetitive switching has been a long research interest. For this purpose, microplasma discharge is implemented in the spark gap which is further integrated inside a coaxial transmission line. This work addresses important physical properties and insights of the microplasma discharge, to be optimized, such as plasma generation in a spark channel, dielectric recovery process, and residual plasma in the postspark discharge period. Although understanding the microplasma discharge is the primary goal, considerable attention has been focused on an external circuit scheme to drive the discharge system at a high repetition rate.

Temporal and spatial evolution of air-spark switch plasma investigated by the Mach–Zehnder interferometer

“…At present, the research on gas spark switch mainly focuses on the numerical calculation and experimental research of its circuit characteristic parameters, the numerical simulation of the main arc of the switching arc and the electrode ablation. [5][6][7][8] With the development of plasma diagnostic techniques, the accurate diagnosis of plasma parameters of gas spark switches has become possible. These new plasma diagnostic techniques help us to better understand the working process of gas spark switches.…”

Behavior of parallel spark gaps in self breakdown mode

“…We have already presented a pulser system based on a microplasma assisted spark gap that is capable of handling high power and accompanied by highly repetitive pulses [6][7][8]. The high power here means a high repetitive rate of the ultrashort pulses which can provide a high power wideband radiation.…”

“…We have concentrated on extremely small energy for discharges in two spark gaps or microdischarges in the spark gaps with the objective of faster cooling of the hot decaying plasma in order to reduce the time for the free voltage recovery process i. e. without any external cooling [6][7][8]. The reduced time for the free voltage recovery process is the pre-requisite for the high PRR switching.…”