Vacuum breakdown due to particulate matter
Abstract
Microparticles have been hypothesized to initiate breakdown of high voltage
vacuum gaps. Although the effect of such particles has been verified for DC and
pulsed voltages, the initiation mechanism is yet to be understood. In a nongravitational
environment, such as space, microparticles could linger in the
interelectrode space, possibly affecting the breakdown voltage more than that
experienced on earth.
It is the purpose of this research to determine the effect that lingering
microparticles may have on the breakdown voltage of a vacuum gap. The resulting
effects of both dielectric and conducting particles has been studied, including the
lowering of the breakdown voltage and effects on the voltage breakdown
distribution function (widening, skewing, etc.).