Effects of background pressure on the arc characteristics of gas spark gap

Gas spark gap is widely used in any pulsed power system as the key element which directly determines its repetitive performance and output characteristics. Among many factors of threeelectrode gas spark gap, background pressure is of much importance in determining the gap performance parameters such as the delay and jitter, and relevant studies have been rarely performed. A magneto-hydrodynamic model of the arc in gas spark gap is built and the effects of background pressure on the arc characteristics are discussed in this paper. It is demonstrated that a higher background pressure may result in radial compression of the arc column, a higher arc voltage, and a lower declination rate of arc resistance in the first quarter cycle. Relevant simulation data would be helpful for the optimization of the design of gas spark gap.