Work functions for a HV cathode in nonpolar liquids

Author

Bonifaci, N. ; Denat, A. ; Atrazhev, V.M.

Author_Institution

Lab. d´´Electrostatique et de Mater. Dielectr., CNRS, Grenoble, France

Volume

1

Issue

4

fYear

1994

fDate

8/1/1994 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

657

Lastpage

662

Abstract

When negative HV is applied to a needle of small radius of curvature (r_p<0.2 μm) in nonpolar liquids, a detectable field emission current (I>×10^-12 A) is observed above a voltage U_FN, the Fowler-Nordheim law. For larger point radii, only a regular current pulse regime is detected above a threshold voltage U_s (Trichel regime). Analysis of these voltages U_s and U_FN as a function of conduction band energy V₀ of different liquids, shows that the apparent work function for high electric field strengths in liquids is lower than the one without applied field (2.1 compared to 4.5 eV for a tungsten cathode). This difference can be explained if one assumes the existence of a plasma-like layer around the HV cathode

Keywords

cathodes; conduction bands; electron emission; electron field emission; high-voltage techniques; work function; Fowler-Nordheim law; HV cathode; Trichel regime; W; conduction band energy; current pulse; electric field strengths; field emission current; needle; nonpolar liquids; plasma-like layer; threshold voltage; tungsten cathode; work functions; Aerospace electronics; Cathodes; Electron mobility; Energy measurement; Liquids; Needles; Plasma measurements; Plasma temperature; Threshold voltage; Tungsten;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Dielectrics and Electrical Insulation, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

1070-9878

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/94.311728

Filename

311728