ELECTRICAL BREAKDOWN IN VACUUM
Abstract
The voltage breakdown in vacuum was studied at gap spacings of 0.015 inch. Measurements indicate little or no variation of breakdown with tube pressure between approximately 10 to the -5th and 10 to the -7th power torr and with frequency of the applied voltage from 0 to 6 Mc. Electrical breakdown in vacuum is prefaced by prebreakdown currents caused by electron emission from small isolated areas on the cathode electrode. As a result of this emission, individual, small-diameter electron beams are formed between cathode and anode. These beams can cause the anode and cathode power dissipation density to become extremely high, resulting in evaporation, melting, and destructive effects. The observed prebreakdown emission is believed to result from contaminants modifying the image barrier of the cathode and not from local field enhancements due to irregularities of the cathode surface. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 02, 1961
- Accession Number
- AD0266603
Entities
People
- H.d. Arnett
- R.p. Little
- S.t. Smith
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory