Pseudospark discharge in long time current pulse: electrical characterization and recovery phenomena

At high currents, the performance of triggered vacuum gaps is limited by the constriction of the arc discharge on the anode. In a symmetrical system within flat electrodes, a motionless anode spot appears in front of the trigger spark. A pseudo-spark system within electrode cavities and specific gas pressure provides a good mechanism for avoiding anode spot phenomena. It appears possible to obtain a high intensity diffuse discharge. In this paper, we present the experimental measurements of the instantaneous voltage and discharge current, (peak current less than 50 kA, discharge time between 20 and 300 μs). These measurements allow us to determine the dynamical resistance, mean voltage and energy lost during the conduction phase. Consequently, we refine our knowledge of discharge development. Additionally, we present a complementary investigation on quenching behavior