Effect of the cavity structure on the discharge features of pseudosparks

The cavity structure of electrodes is important factor to determine the performances of pseudospark discharge devices. With the hollow cathode cavity, a very small and stable erosion pattern by electron-beam generated from the spark was formed on the opposite surface inside the anode cavity and stable concentric ring-shaped erosion patterns were observed at the central area around the apertures on the electrodes. Without the hollow cathode cavity, the patterns became irregular and unstable. The cavity structure of intermediate floating electrode can also increase the self-breakdown voltage of pseudospark switches up to 80 kV.