Influence of contact surface conditions on discharge phenomena of vacuum reed switches

Author

Hinohara, K. ; Kobayashi, T. ; Kawakita, C.

Author_Institution

Oki Electr. Ind. Co. Ltd., Tokyo, Japan

fYear

1992

fDate

18-21 Oct. 1992

Firstpage

87

Lastpage

90

Abstract

The relationship between contact surface conditions and discharge phenomena of vacuum reed switches is studied. Switches are examined before and after surface deactivation treatment. Breakdown voltage is increased by the surface deactivation treatment. Work function is also found to be enhanced by the treatment. Rhodium oxide film is produced on the contact surface through the surface deactivation treatment, increasing the work function. This enhancement of work function is thought to be important for obtaining high breakdown voltage between contacts.<>

Keywords

Auger effect; electric breakdown; reed relays; rhodium; surface treatment; work function; 450 C; 475 C; Auger electron spectra; Rh contact; Rh/sub 2/O/sub 3/ film; breakdown voltage; contact surface conditions; discharge phenomena; surface deactivation treatment; vacuum reed switches; work function; Contacts; Electronics industry; Hermetic seals; Industrial electronics; Oxygen; Surface discharges; Surface treatment; Switches; Temperature; Vacuum breakdown;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Electrical Contacts, 1992., Proceedings of the Thirty-Eighth IEEE Holm Conference on

Conference_Location

Philadelphia, PA, USA

Print_ISBN

0-7803-0576-0

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/HOLM.1992.246930

Filename

246930