Different approach to pulsed high-voltage vacuum-insulation design

Abstract

A theoretical methodology promising improved design of vacuum insulation in high-voltage pulsed-power systems is described. It consists of shaping the electromagnetic fields within the system in such a way that charged particles which can in principle initiate vacuum surface breakdown are deflected away from the insulator surface, and secondary electrons, if emitted, are prevented from restriking the surface. Thus, vacuum surface breakdown is prevented before it is able to develop. Our methodology is presented here by a set of case studies.