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

The authors investigated the characteristics vacuum reed switches before and after a surface deactivation treatment which was originally developed for platinum-group metal contacts. An increase of the breakdown voltage and an enhanced work function was observed after the treatment. The enhanced work function was the result of rhodium oxide film produced on the contact surface by the surface deactivation treatment. This enhancement is thought to be important for obtaining high breakdown voltage between contacts.<
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