UDC 621.387.32
SWITCHING TIMES OF SPARK GAPS-SHARPENERS AT PRESSURE UP TO 140 ATMOSPHERE
B. A. Kozlov, Dr. Sc. (Phys. and Math.), full professor, RSREU, Ryazan, Russia;
orcid.org/0000-0001-5957-3688, e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
D. S. Makhanko, senior researcher, JSC Plasma, Ryazan, Russia;
orcid.org/0000-0002-7609-9970, e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Characteristic switching times of spark gaps-sharpeners for the breakdown voltage range of 100 ÷ 400 kV are determined. The aim of this work is to obtain quantitative information about the switching times of spark gaps-sharpeners in the previously unstudied pressure range from 20 to 140 atmospheres under static breakdown conditions. Based on the most developed theoretical models for the development of a spark discharge for pressures of 1 ÷ 10 atmospheres, quantitative information was obtained on the characteristic values of switching times in pressure range from 20 to 140 atmospheres. General tendency for the reduction of discharge development time proportionally to pressure increase has been established. Experimentally measured switching times of spark gaps-sharpeners of RO-48 type (breakdown voltage 150 ± 2 kV, hydrogen pressure in spark gap-sharpener 55 ÷ 58 atm, interelectrode gap 0.3 cm) have values within ~ 230 ... 250 picoseconds at the level (0.1 ÷ 0.9) of breakdown voltage.
Key words: : spark gap, spark gap-sharpener, spark discharge development time, switching time, static breakdown in gas, gas pressure, breakdown voltage, interelectrode distance.