Subnanosecond high-voltage breakdown initiated in high-pressure nitrogen by a runaway electron beam

Abstract

This study reports on subnanosecond breakdowns initiated on high pressure nitrogen by a runaway electron beam in an inhomogeneous electric field. It is shown that a diffuse discharge with a duration of ≥1 ns is formed in the gas diode. Data are reported for the first time on collector measurements of a supershort avalanche electron beam downstream of an anode foil at a nitrogen pressure of 0.5–1.2 MPa. The beam pulsewidth at these pressures is ∼90 ps. At a nitrogen pressure of 1.2 MPa, the number of electrons with an energy >70 keV recorded by the collector is 4 × 10^6/cm^2.

Keywords

• electron beams
• avalanche breakdown
• subnanosecond high-voltage breakdown
• high-pressure nitrogen
• runaway electron beam
• inhomogeneous electric field
• diffuse discharge
• gas diode
• collector measurements
• supershort avalanche electron beam
• anode foil
• nitrogen pressure
• beam pulsewidth
• pressure 0.5 MPa to 1.2 MPa