Minimum breakdown voltage in Neon, Electrode spacing in mm

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the minimum breakdown voltage for pure Neon gas at a specific pressure (74762 microns) and determining the corresponding electrode spacing in millimeters. The focus is on applying Paschen's law and understanding the relationship between voltage, electric field, and electrode spacing.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks to calculate the electrode spacing for minimum breakdown voltage in pure Neon gas at a specified pressure.
  • Another participant notes that the breakdown voltage is dependent on the electric field, which is influenced by both the applied voltage and the electrode spacing.
  • A participant expresses difficulty in performing the necessary calculations and indicates that they are operating at a voltage of 260V DC, which is above the minimum threshold.
  • There is a suggestion that the electric field is higher when the voltage is increased, prompting a question about the relationship between voltage and electrode spacing.
  • A participant references a graph that illustrates the relationship between optimum pressure and electrode spacing for minimum breakdown voltage, indicating they are trying to apply this to their specific case.
  • Another participant clarifies that they are looking for the minimum voltage required to achieve breakdown in pure Neon gas at the specified pressure.
  • A mention of the Paschen Curve is made, highlighting its role in relating breakdown electric field to pressure and electrode spacing.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of understanding and ability to calculate the required values, with no consensus reached on the specific electrode spacing or breakdown voltage for the given conditions.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not resolved the mathematical steps necessary to calculate the electrode spacing, and there are assumptions regarding the relationship between voltage, electric field, and breakdown conditions that remain unclarified.

Shane Cox
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Hello all. I am conducting a simple research project, and am having a little trouble with the math for paschen's law.

my question is.

At 74762 Microns of pressure, using pure Neon gas, what is the electrode spacing in mm for the minimum breakdown voltage of that gas?

Thank you.
 
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Welcome to the PF. :smile:
Shane Cox said:
the minimum breakdown voltage of that gas?
The breakdown is based on the electric field. The electric field depends on the applied voltage and the electrode spacing. The minimum breakdown voltage is when the electrode spacing is ________. Can you fill in the blank?
 
I am unable to answer the question, as I have been unable to do the calculations correctly, they are beyond my current ability.

I do understand that neon has a minimum breakdown voltage, the voltage i will be running is 260V DC

which is a little above the minimum threshold, so the optimum gap distance for the pressure I specified is what I am unable to calculate.
 
The units of electric field are Volts per meter. So the electric field is higher when the voltage is higher, and the electrode spacing is ____ (maximum or minimum?)? :smile:
 
This Graph shows the optimum pressure to electrode spacing for the minimum breakdown voltage of the gas used in this Graph, the
031305_1_14.jpg
electrode spacing is what I am trying calculate for pure Neon at its minimum breakdown voltage at 74762 microns of pressure.
 

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Another way of explaining it is that, I am trying to apply the minimum amount of voltage in order to achieve breakdown in pure neon gas, at 74762 microns of pressure, and looking for the optimum electrode spacing in order to achieve this.
 
The Paschen Curve is for the breakdown electric field as a function of pressure. It may be labeled as "Voltage", but that will be for a given electrode spacing, giving a corresponding electric field. No?
 

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