Research on the peculiar flashover phenomenon of the PCSS in SF6

Flashover severely restricts the development of the photoconductive semiconductor switch (PCSS) in high-voltage and high power. This paper reported the peculiar phenomenon that the current pulse, when the flashover occurred, was lower and wider than the normal value. Based on the photon-activated charge domain model and semiconductor flashover mechanism, the reason, the influence of secondary electron emission avalanche on the output wave, was analyzed. The dipole domain was imported to describe the critical state where the lower and wider current pulse occurred during the flashover.