Statistical Analysis of Breakdown Delay of Pseudospark Discharge Triggered from Anode Side

This paper experimentally investigates formation processes of pseudospark discharge triggered from anode side. The modified Laue plots adopting Kolmogorov-Smirnov test method is used for statistical analysis. It is assumed that the statistical delay and formation delay of ignition process conforms to exponential distribution and normal distribution, respectively. The minimum voltage and pressure that the discharge can be triggered from anode side are significantly higher than those from cathode side. In most cases, the formation delay is larger than the statistical delay, and both rapidly decrease as gas pressure or applied voltage increases. It is inferred that the statistical delay corresponds to the formation of stable and intense ion flux towards the cathode; while the formation delay corresponds to a sequence of processes, including the formation of positive charge region in the hollow cathode and the formation and expansion of virtual anode in the main gap.