A simplified post-soft-breakdown current model for MOS devices

Based on the tunneling current model, a simplified current model is developed for MOS devices after soft breakdown (SBD). The post-soft-breakdown current consists of modified direct tunneling current and Fowler Nordheim (FN) tunneling current. Considering the change of gate oxide after soft breakdown, impacts of soft breakdown on the dielectric constant, and effective electron mass of the gate oxide are discussed, and their values are obtained by fitting simulation results to experimental data. It is found that the effective electron mass is decreased after soft breakdown due to damaged oxide, while the dielectric constant is increased after soft breakdown due to interface distortion. In this way, the leakage current after soft breakdown can be accurately calculated. The validity of the proposed model is confirmed by experimental results. Z.L. Li currently is with the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Hong Kong.     

The mechanism of hot spot formation in condensed explosives

The hypothesis of an electrical mechanism of formation of detonation initiation zones (hot spots) in condensed explosives is considered. The hypothesis is based on the generation of electric fields and the appearance of shock-induced conductivity in the propagation of a shock wave (compression wave) in condensed dielectric media, including explosives. These physical phenomena can cause a local electrical breakdown, whose channel is identified with a hot spot. The available experimental data are analyzed from the point of view of the hypothesis suggested, and a procedure for verifying this hypothesis is outlined.     

脉冲放电产生螺旋流注的等离子体特性研究

通过脉冲放电方式产生三维螺旋形的等离子体放电通道,在高速摄像机拍摄下观察到放电通道中的发光电离体以流注形式沿螺旋轨迹快速传播.建立电磁模型解释螺旋放电的形成机制,对造成对称性破缺及影响其手性性质的极向电场进行分析.研究表明,螺旋放电产生的放电通道存在两种不同的手性特征,而脉冲重复频率等放电参数及边界条件对螺旋流注的传播特性存在影响.脉冲电源驱动的电磁场在介质管内所形成的波模是极向电场形成的一个重要来源,当极向电场与轴向电场强度相近时则形成螺旋流注放电.     

Theoretical investigation of dielectric corona pre-ionization TEA nitrogen laser based on transmission line method

This paper models the dielectric corona pre-ionization, capacitor transfer type of flat-plane transmission line traveling wave transverse excited atmospheric pressure nitrogen laser by a non-linear lumped RLC electric circuit. The flat-plane transmission line and the pre-ionizer dielectric are modeled by a lumped linear RLC and time-dependent non-linear RC circuit, respectively. The main discharge region is considered as a time-dependent non-linear RLC circuit where its resistance value is also depends on the radiated pre-ionization ultra violet (UV) intensity. The UV radiation is radiated by the resistance due to the surface plasma on the pre-ionizer dielectric. The theoretical predictions are in a very good agreement with the experimental observations. The electric circuit equations (including the ionization rate equations), the equations of laser levels population densities and propagation equation of laser intensities, are solved numerically. As a result, the effects of pre-ionizer dielectric parameters on the electrical behavior and output laser intensity are obtained.     

Mechanism for propagation of a positive leader

A model of leader breakdown in air is considered. The channel is formed due to heating of the streamer trace in the field of the streamer zone. A previous model of a streamer is generalized with allowance for recombination of charged particles. A mathematical model of heating of the streamer trace is developed. It is demonstrated that, at a given potential, the ignition of the channel is provided by streamers that possess a certain charge and the corresponding propagation velocity. This velocity determines the propagation velocity of a steady leader. The dependence of the leader velocity on the cloud potential is found. The results obtained are compared with the data from in-situ observations and laboratory studies.     

Guided ionization waves: Theory and experiments

This review focuses on one of the fundamental phenomena that occur upon application of sufficiently strong electric fields to gases, namely the formation and propagation of ionization waves–streamers. The dynamics of streamers is controlled by strongly nonlinear coupling, in localized streamer tip regions, between enhanced (due to charge separation) electric field and ionization and transport of charged species in the enhanced field. Streamers appear in nature (as initial stages of sparks and lightning, as huge structures—sprites above thunderclouds), and are also found in numerous technological applications of electrical discharges. Here we discuss the fundamental physics of the guided streamer-like structures—plasma bullets which are produced in cold atmospheric-pressure plasma jets. Plasma bullets are guided ionization waves moving in a thin column of a jet of plasma forming gases (e.g., He or Ar) expanding into ambient air. In contrast to streamers in a free (unbounded) space that propagate in a stochastic manner and often branch, guided ionization waves are repetitive and highly-reproducible and propagate along the same path—the jet axis. This property of guided streamers, in comparison with streamers in a free space, enables many advanced time-resolved experimental studies of ionization waves with nanosecond precision. In particular, experimental studies on manipulation of streamers by external electric fields and streamer interactions are critically examined. This review also introduces the basic theories and recent advances on the experimental and computational studies of guided streamers, in particular related to the propagation dynamics of ionization waves and the various parameters of relevance to plasma streamers. This knowledge is very useful to optimize the efficacy of applications of plasma streamer discharges in various fields ranging from health care and medicine to materials science and nanotechnology.     

The dielectric constant associated with direct interband transitions in germanium

An expression for the complex dielectric constant associated with direct interband transitions in germanium has been obtained using a simple model. The model consists of four damped oscillators, and a fit to experimental results for the complex dielectric constant is made to obtain the model parameters, i.e., the oscillator frequencies and damping constants. The results show good agreement with experimental data over a broad range of frequencies.     

Formation of ball streamers at a subnanosecond breakdown of gases at a high pressure in a nonuniform electric field

The formation of a diffuse discharge plasma at a subnanosecond breakdown of a “cone–plane” gap filled with air, nitrogen, methane, hydrogen, argon, neon, and helium at various pressures has been studied. Nanosecond negative and positive voltage pulses have been applied to the conical electrode. The experimental data on the dynamics of plasma glow at the stage of formation and propagation of a streamer have been obtained with intensified charge-coupled device and streak cameras. It has been found that the formation of ball streamers is observed in all gases and at both polarities. A supershort avalanche electron beam has been detected behind the flat foil electrode in a wide range of pressures in the case of a negatively charged conical electrode. A mechanism of the formation of streamers at breakdown of various gases at high overvoltages has been discussed.     

Impedance spectroscopy studies on chemically deposited CdS and PbS polycrystalline films

Room temperature impedance spectroscopy measurements on chemically deposited CdS and PbS films were performed using the ‘sandwich’ geometry. The experimental data for both materials represented by the complex plane diagrams showed two well-defined semicircles. The results were analyzed in terms of the ‘brick-layer’ model, appropriate for polycrystalline materials in which the crystallites and its boundary are well developed. According to this model, the equivalent circuit which best represent the polycrystalline films, consists of two RC circuits connected in series, one representing the grain and the other the grain boundaries. By fitting the spectral response of the equivalent circuit to the impedance measurements, electrical and structural parameters were obtained.     

Electrical breakdown in ionic crystals

A model of formation of an electrical discharge channel in alkali halide crystal is presented. Electrons are generated to the conduction band through cascade Auger transitions in the valence band of the dielectric. The breakdown channel consists of melt and charged layers. The model explains the crystallographic direction and velocity of the discharge channel, as well as generation of prebreakdown current, without resorting to the mechanism of impact ionization of the valence band of the crystal by electrons from the conduction band.     

Probe Measurements of Parameters of Streamers of Nanosecond Frequency Crown Discharge

Investigations of the parameters of single streamers of nanosecond frequency corona discharge, creating a voluminous low-temperature plasma in extended coaxial electrode systems, are performed. Measurements of the parameters of streamers were made by an isolated probe situated on the outer grounded electrode. Streamers were generated under the action of voltage pulses with a front of 50–300 ns, duration of 100–600 ns, and amplitude up to 100 kV at the frequency of 50–1000 Hz. The pulse voltage, the total current of the corona, current per probe, and glow in the discharge gap were recorded in the experiments. It was established that, at these parameters of pulse voltage, streamers propagate at an average strength of the electric field of 4–10 kV/cm. Increasing the pulse amplitude leads to an increase in the number of streamers hitting the probe, an increase in the average charge of the head of a streamer, and, as a consequence, an increase in the total streamer current and the energy introduced into the gas. In the intervals up to 3 cm, streamer breakdown at an average field strength of 5–10 kV/cm is possible. In longer intervals, during the buildup of voltage after generation of the main pulse, RF breakdown is observed at Е_av ≈ 4 kV/cm.     

介质表面高功率微波击穿中释气现象的数值模拟研究

建立了一个简单的高功率微波(HPM)介质表面击穿释气模型,并采用PIC(partiele-in-cell)-MCC(Monte Carlo collisions)方法,通过自行编写的介质表面击穿数值模拟程序对不同释气条件下的介质表面HPM击穿过程进行了数值模拟研究,得到了击穿过程中电子数量等的时间图像和不同释气速度下的击穿延迟时间.模拟结果表明,对于具有一定时间宽度的HPM脉冲,当介质表面气体脱附速度较小时,由于介质表面气体层形成太慢而不会发生击穿;只有当脱附速度大于一定值时,击穿才会发生且击穿延迟时间在一定范围内随着脱附速度的增加而缩短.最后,将数值模拟得到的介质表面HPM击穿数据,与单极性表面击穿的实验诊断图像进行了对比,两者的发展趋势符合很好. 关键词： 释气现象 介质表面击穿 高功率微波 数值模拟     

Stochastic model for dielectric breakdown

We discuss a model for the development of discharge patterns in dielectric breakdown based on the Laplace equation associated with a probability field. The model gives rise to random fractals with well-defined Hausdorff dimensions. The relations of this model with the diffusion-limited aggregation are discussed in detail. The possibility of application to other stochastic phenomena like fracture propagation is proposed.     

An experimental investigation on high-frequency vacuum arcinterruption at small gap length

An experimental study of high-frequency (126, 230 kHz) vacuum arc interruption behavior and the voltage escalation processes at a small gap length (⩽1 mm) for three contact materials (Cu, CuCr, and CuTeSe) is discussed. Two experimental methods have been used: current injection in a low-voltage circuit and in a 10-kV AC circuit. Experimental results of the high-frequency current interruption ability and the dielectric breakdown voltage are presented. Three kinds of breakdown are distinguished: the reignition voltage, the breakdown voltage, and the cold breakdown voltage. It has been found that the interruption ability is directly related to the reignition voltage     

铝单丝Z箍缩形成无核冕结构的物理分析

针对铝单丝Z箍缩负载,计算其可形成金属蒸气而不形成核冕等离子体的电路和负载参数范围。提出了铝丝电爆炸形成金属蒸气的能量沉积判据和击穿电压判据;建立了热动力学模型,选取电路参数使得金属丝气化时放电回路电流恰好迅速下降,从而避免发生电压击穿。计算了典型电路下的负载电流、电压、电阻及沉积能量的变化曲线,并分析了回路总电感、充电电压以及负载丝长度、直径对其的影响规律。计算结果表明：当储能电容为150 pF、充电电压为65 kV、回路电感为300 nH时,可驱动直径20 m、长2 cm的铝丝电爆炸形成铝丝蒸气。快电流前沿、小丝直径和较短的丝长度有助于提高负载中的单位质量沉积能量,容易电爆炸形成金属蒸气负载。     

铝单丝Z箍缩形成无核冕结构的物理分析

针对铝单丝Z箍缩负载,计算其可形成金属蒸气而不形成核冕等离子体的电路和负载参数范围。提出了铝丝电爆炸形成金属蒸气的能量沉积判据和击穿电压判据;建立了热动力学模型,选取电路参数使得金属丝气化时放电回路电流恰好迅速下降,从而避免发生电压击穿。计算了典型电路下的负载电流、电压、电阻及沉积能量的变化曲线,并分析了回路总电感、充电电压以及负载丝长度、直径对其的影响规律。计算结果表明:当储能电容为150pF、充电电压为65kV、回路电感为300nH时,可驱动直径20μm、长2cm的铝丝电爆炸形成铝丝蒸气。快电流前沿、小丝直径和较短的丝长度有助于提高负载中的单位质量沉积能量,容易电爆炸形成金属蒸气负载。     

Modeling of impulse electric discharge propagation in a condensed dielectric

In the present paper, special features of electric discharge propagation in a condensed dielectric are considered. A mathematical model of growth of the discharge structure and operation of a high-voltage generator is described based on the stochastic-deterministic approach. Numerical realization of the model is used to describe quantitatively the space-time and current discharge characteristics. Results of computer modeling of the discharge propagation in a condensed dielectric are presented for the tip-plane electrode geometry. Current and field discharge characteristics are analyzed. The voltage-current characteristic of technical water breakdown is obtained. __________ Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika, No. 3, pp. 11–17, March, 2006.     

薄介质膜击穿全过程的探讨

本文提出了一个用于解释介质膜击穿全过程的新模型。在本模型中,整个击穿过程主要包含两个机构,一个是本征型的雪崩击穿,另一个是引起膜的破坏性击穿的丝状热传递。理论分析及有关的实验结果表明,本征击穿的电场强度主要取决于介质膜的带隙宽度及膜的厚度,而丝状热传递主要决定于膜的质量,特别是膜中的缺陷。文中简要讨论了膜的物理性质、工艺及测试条件对击穿的影响。 关键词：     

The lifetime of positive streamers in a pulsed point-to-plane gap in atmospheric air

A determination has been made of the lifetime of positive streamers produced in atmospheric air in a positive point-to-plane gap to which was applied a 40 nsec, 40 kV voltage pulse. The streamer tips have been detected at a given plane in the gap by means of a photomultiplier and high speed oscilloscope. It was found that the streamer tips continued to propagate in the gap, long (up to 35 nsec) after the voltage pulse was removed, in accordance with the predictions of a recently presented model of streamer propagation. Association of this long lifetime with the properties of an isolated tip was made possible by the detection of a new phenomenon at the anode. At the end of the voltage pulse a second luminosity was observed to leave the anode and to extend along the paths of the primary streamers for about one third of their length. This is shown to be the maximum extent of a more highly conducting trunk, behind and separated from the streamer tip, affecting both the propagation of the tip and the eventual transition of a streamer to a breakdown spark.     

The effect of body bias of the metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor in the resistive network on spatial current distribution in a bio-inspired complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor vision chip

Complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) vision chips for edge detection based on a resistive circuit have recently been developed. These chips help in the creation of neuromorphic systems of a compact size, high speed of operation, and low power dissipation. The output of the vision chip depends predominantly upon the electrical characteristics of the resistive network which consists of a resistive circuit. In this paper, the body effect of the metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor for current distribution in a resistive circuit is discussed with a simple model. In order to evaluate the model, two 160 × 120 CMOS vision chips have been fabricated using a standard CMOS technology. The experimental results nicely match our prediction.