Influence of magnetic field on the electrical breakdown properties in cylindrical diode

Summary form only given, as follows. The influence of magnetic field on electrical breakdown properties is investigated by applying a magnetic field along the longitudinal direction in a cylindrical diode The transverse electron mobility under a magnetic field is reduced. Therefore, we carry out the discharge experiment under the environment of a low vacuum about 10 Torr at the range of magnitude of magnetic field from 1 Gauss to 1000 Gauss. We find that the longitudinally applied magnetic field in a cylindrical diode restrains the discharge between cylindrical electrodes, effectively preventing the occurrence of an arc discharge at the voltage without a magnetic field applied. Taking the reduction factor of transverse mobility into account, we employ Paschen´s law to present the theoretical explanation for the obtained experimental results. The experimental data will be compared with the theoretical predictions. It is shown that the externally applied magnetic field plays a pivotal role in the electrical discharge.