The main gap discharge types and mechanism of a triggered vacuum gaps

In the positive mode of triggered vacuum gaps, the discharge has three different types: sustained breakdown without chopping (SB); sustained breakdown with chopping (SBC); and nonsustained breakdown with chopping (NSBC). In the negative mode, only sustained breakdown occurs. The influence of main gap voltage, residual gas pressure and the trigger type have been investigated based on the type of main gap discharge. It is shown that the type of main gap discharge has a statistical property. Finally, the discharge mechanism is discussed based on the trigger plasma property