On Voltage Acceleration Models of Time to Breakdown—Part I: Experimental and Analysis Methodologies

We propose and outline three independent experimental methodologies applicable to the investigation of voltage acceleration models of time to breakdown (
T

_BD
) for dielectric breakdown. The self-consistence requirement of voltage acceleration models and Poisson random statistics in terms of area scaling is discussed in detail. Three different
T

_BD
acceleration models, which are
T

_BD
exponential law (
E
model),
T

_BD
power law, and
T

_BD
exponential law of reciprocal voltage and field (1/
V
model or 1/
E
model), as widely discussed in literature, are evaluated in the context of these new methodologies. We have found that the
T

_BD
exponential law of reciprocal voltage (1/
V
model) is the best description for the
T

_BD
voltage acceleration in the Fowler-Nordheim tunneling regime while the
T

_BD
power-law model is the most appropriate in the direct tunneling regime.