Gas-Solid Interface Emissions Determined by the Esaw Charge Detection Method

Abstract

The application of high voltages to highly insulating materials such as employed in compressed gas insulated equipment can result in small, but finite, charge transport. The high electric fields, can also stimulate the release of charge carriers from gas/solid interfaces. Such small currents over extended periods of normal operation, or under repeated over-voltages, can cause significant distortions of the internal electric fields. Such charging is significant because gas insulation is sensitive to breakdown triggered by even modest amounts of over stress in local or broad area regions^1,2. To better control such charging and therefore prevent premature failures caused by these overstresses a means to study interface charging effects is needed.