A Unified Formula for Five Basic Forms of Discharge in an Electric Field Under Short Pulses

This study proposes a unified formula for five basic forms of discharge—gas, liquid, solid, and vacuum breakdown, and vacuum surface flashover—under short pulses in an electric field. This formula considers the effects of the number of dimensions and pulsewidth on the electric field. It is verified by using the results of experiments reported at the Aldermaston Weapon Research Establishment (AWRE) and the Northwest Institute of Nuclear Technology. The ranges of application of this formula to different discharge forms are also summarized. The proposed formula can be used to transform experimental data at a small scale under a known pulsewidth into those at a large scale under the application pulsewidth and is thus important for designing insulation.