Electron transport studies of gas mixtures for use in e-beam controlled diffuse discharge switches

Gas mixtures for possible use in diffuse discharge switching applications require both high dielectric strength and specific electron transport properties in the conducting and the opening stages of the operation of the switch. In the conducting stage, the electron drift velocity must be large, and the electron loss processes (e.g., due to electron attachment and recombination) must be low so as to maximize the current in the discharge while maintaining low-discharge impedance. In the opening stage, strong electron attachment along with high dielectric strength is required of the gas mixtures in order to extinguish the discharge as quickly as possible (and, thus, achieve a fast opening time) and to prevent arcing occurring between the switch electrodes due to the high voltages induced across the switch in the opening phase. Measurements of the electron drift velocity, attachment, ionization and transverse diffusion coefficients, and high-voltage dielectric strengths of several gas mixtures proposed as candidates for use in diffuse discharge switching applications have been made and are reported and discussed.