Electric strength of point-point and point-plane gaps in vacuum in the presence of transverse magnetic field

Investigations were carried out to determine the increase in the electric strength of nonuniform field gaps in vacuum caused by transverse magnetic field. The measurements were under voltages with gaps ranging from 1.0 to 5.0 mm. The results show that a transverse magnetic field in excess of 0.1 T causes an increase in the electric strength of vacuum insulation, with the effect increasing with the magnitude of the magnetic field. Increases in the breakdown strength of up to 50% were observed. The largest increase of breakdown voltage was noted for a positive needle-plane electrode arrangement. The amount of increase was less for a needle-needle arrangement, and least for a negative needle-plane electrode arrangement