The author reviews surface flashover (i.e. voltage breakdown along the surface of insulators), primarily in vacuum. He discusses theories and models relating to surface flashover and pertinent experimental results. Surface flashover of insulators in vacuum generally is initiated by the emission of electrons from the cathode triple junction (the region where the electrode, insulator, and vacuum meet). These electrons usually then multiply as they traverse the insulator surface, either as a surface secondary-electron-emission avalanche or as an electron cascade in a thin surface layer, causing desorption of gas which had been adsorbed on the insulator surface. This desorbed gas is then ionized, which leads to surface flashover of the insulator. The theory and modeling of this phenomena and experimental studies of surface charging, the applied voltage waveform, prestressing, conditioning, discharge delay and speed, insulator geometry AMD material, surface treatment, surface gases, temperature, and pressure are reviewed. Some suggestions are made regarding how to choose the material geometry and processing when selecting an insulator for a particular application. >

Surface flashover of insulators

Electron emission from ferroelectrics (FEE) is an unconventional electron emission effect. Methods of FEE excitation are quite different compared to classic electron emission from solids. Two kinds of FEE have been observed, “weak” and “strong.” “Weak” electron emission (current density 10−12–10−7 A/cm2) occurs from polar surfaces of ferroelectric materials in the ferroelectric phase only. A source of the electric field for “weak” FEE excitation is an uncompensated charge, generated by a deviation of macroscopic spontaneous polarization from its equilibrium state under a pyroelectric effect, piezoelectric effect, or polarization switching. The FEE is a tunneling emission current which screens uncompensated polarization charges. It is shown that the FEE is an effective tool for direct domain imaging and studies of electronic properties of ferroelectrics. “Strong” FEE, which is 10–12 orders of magnitude higher than “weak” FEE, achieves 100 A/cm2 and is plasma-assisted electron emission. Two modes of the sur...

Electron emission from ferroelectrics

Reviews surface flashover of insulator, primarily in vacuum, although some comments are made about the effect of ambient gases on surface flashover. It presents theoretical mechanisms of surface flashover and pertinent experimental results. The holdoff voltage of insulators depends upon many insulator parameters, such as material, geometry, surface finish, and attachments to electrodes, but also on the applied voltage waveform (duration, single pulse or repetitive), the process history of the insulator operating environment, and previous applications of voltage. Several suggestions are made regarding choice of the material, geometry, and processing when selecting an insulator for a particular application. Some specific techniques for improving the holdoff voltage of insulators are recommended. >

Flashover of insulators in vacuum: review of the phenomena and techniques to improved holdoff voltage

Polymer materials, such as polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), are widely used as insulators in vacuum. The insulating performance of a high-voltage vacuum system is mainly limited by surface flashover of the insulators rather than bulk breakdown. Non-thermal plasmas are an efficient method to modify the chemical and physical properties of polymer material surfaces, and enhance the surface insulating performance. In this letter, an atmospheric-pressure dielectric barrier discharge is used to treat the PMMA surface to improve the surface flashover strength in vacuum. Experimental results indicate that the plasma treatment method using Ar and CF4 (10:1) as the working gas can etch the PMMA surface, introduce fluoride groups to the surface, and then alter the surface characteristics of the PMMA. The increase in the surface roughness can introduce physical traps that can capture free electrons, and the fluorination can enhance the charge capturing ability. The increase in the surface roughness and the introduction of the fluoride groups can enhance the PMMA hydrophobic ability, improve the charge capturing ability, decrease the secondary electron emission yield, increase the surface resistance, and improve the surface flashover voltage in vacuum.

Enhanced surface flashover strength in vacuum of polymethylmethacrylate by surface modification using atmospheric-pressure dielectric barrier discharge

The surface of a solid dielectric insulator becomes electrically charged when subjected to a high‐voltage stress in vacuum. A method for calculating the surface flashover voltage based on the assumption that the discharge occurs in a layer of desorbed gases from the insulator surface is proposed. The electric field strength required to cause surface flashover is calculated by taking into account the secondary electron emission characteristics of the dielectric material. The dependence of the surface flashover field on the insulating material is deduced. A dependence of the flashover voltage on the insulator length to a power law of 0.5 is theoretically predicted. The calculated surface flashover voltage is compared with the previously reported measurements and good agreement is obtained.

Surface flashover of solid dielectric in vacuum

A simple model is proposed to explain how a breakdown avalanche of secondary emission electrons can lead to surface flashover when an insulator in vacuum breaks down a few nanoseconds after high voltage is applied. The case of a plane insulator–vacuum interface perpendicular to parallel electrodes is considered. Positive surface charging is assumed to occur almost immediately upon application of the voltage, and the attendent secondary emission avalanche is assumed to be maintained at saturation throughout the prebreakdown time delay by field emission from the cathode electrode. Bombardment of the insulator by avalanche electrons desorbs a cloud of gas, which is partially ionized as it drifts through the swarm of electrons in the avalanche. The electric field at the cathode end of the insulator becomes enhanced as positive ions accumulate, which in turn increases the field emission and the rates of gas desorption and ionization. This and other regenerative processes rapidly lead to breakdown. Field enhanc...

J. P. Brainard

Papers

Mechanism of pulsed surface flashover involving electron‐stimulated desorption