Publications

We develop a criterion for spark breakdown in non-uniform field geometries with positive polarity and small electrode separations so that breakdown evolves without the formation of a leader. We arrive at the spark-breakdown criterion by framing it in terms of gain and instability conditions, whose relative importance are established from an analysis of the experimental breakdown characteristics and correlations with streamer behavior in short gaps. Results are presented in the context of two generic geometries having coaxial and point-plane electrodes. For nearly uniform field situations, we re-confirm that the breakdown criterion obtained by the usual extension of either the Townsend or Meek criteria satisfactorily predicts the experimental results. On the other hand, for increasing non-uniformity, the results for the corona and spark branches of the breakdown characteristics are shown inconsistent with a breakdown criterion solely based on either the Townsend or streamer mechanisms. In particular, the avalanche gain factor, the primary component of the Townsend and streamer criteria does not determine the spark breakdown criterion. Streamers can cross the gap for a significantly wide range of applied voltages without triggering a spark. We find that it is the instability condition, derived from a relation between the minimum Laplacian field in the gap and the local streamer body field (which we relate to the streamer sustaining field), that is sufficient for determining the spark threshold thereby yielding a breakdown criterion. We examine the physics of the discharge occurring in the several parts of the nonuniform field gap to elucidate the underpinning of the threshold criterion. These include streamer stability and branching in the stressed electrode region, cathode fall setup near the planar-type electrode, and importantly, the renewed ionization of the discharge resulting from neutral expansion of the gas discharge driven by currents, which are critically dependent on the minimum field level in the gap. We also discuss experiments which were carried out to examine instabilities associated with the streamer breakdown of uniform gaps with triggering.

This paper discusses the penetration and coupling of a lightning return stroke through a hole in a metal barrier to a conductor located behind the hole. Indirect field coupling (electric and magnetic) and direct discharges are considered both analytically and experimentally. Although here we consider the hole to be preexisting, one application of this work is lightning return stroke coupling through holes burned in metallic barriers by the continuing current component of lightning. The goal is to develop an understanding of the mechanisms and expected penetrant levels in lightning burnthrough. © 2011 IEEE.

A lightning flash consists of multiple, high-amplitude but short duration return strokes. Between the return strokes is a lower amplitude, continuing current which flows for longer duration. If the walls of a Faraday cage are made of thin enough metal, the continuing current can melt a hole through the metal in a process called burnthrough. A subsequent return stroke can couple energy through this newly-formed hole. This LDRD is a study of the protection provided by a Faraday cage when it has been compromised by burnthrough. We initially repeated some previous experiments and expanded on them in terms of scope and diagnostics to form a knowledge baseline of the coupling phenomena. We then used a combination of experiment, analysis and numerical modeling to study four coupling mechanisms: indirect electric field coupling, indirect magnetic field coupling, conduction through plasma and breakdown through the hole. We discovered voltages higher than those encountered in the previous set of experiments (on the order of several hundreds of volts).

The desire to move high-energy Pulsed Power systems from the laboratory to practical field systems requires the development of compact lightweight drivers. This paper concerns an effort to develop such a system based on a plastic laminate strip Blumlein as the final pulseshaping stage for a 600 kV, 50ns, 5-ohm driver. A lifetime and breakdown study conducted with small-area samples identified Kapton sheet impregnated with Propylene Carbonate as the best material combination of those evaluated. The program has successfully demonstrated techniques for folding large area systems into compact geometry's and vacuum impregnating the laminate in the folded systems. The major operational challenges encountered revolve around edge grading and low inductance, low impedance switching. The design iterations and lessons learned are discussed. A multistage prototype testing program has demonstrated 600kV operation on a short 6ns line. Full-scale prototypes are currently undergoing development and testing.