An investigation into the cumulative breakdown process of polymethylmethacrylate in quasi-uniform electric field under nanosecond pulses
2013
A group of complete images on the discharge channel developed in PMMA in quasi-uniform electric field under nanosecond pulses are observed with an on-line transmission microscope. The characteristics of the cumulative breakdown process are also generalized, which include initiating from the vicinity of the cathode, developing to the anode with a branch-like shape, and taking on a wormhole appearance when final breakdown occurs. The concluded characteristics are explained by referring to the conceptions of “low density domain” and “free radical” and considering the initial discharge channel as a virtual needle. The characteristics are helpful for designers to enhance the lifetime of insulators employed on a nanosecond time scale.
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