A versatile modeling technique for predicting dielectric strength improvements in gas mixtures for superconducting applications

This study presents a procedure that improves the dielectric strength estimation of gas mixtures for superconducting applications. The procedure introduces a generalization factor into the conventional formula of ionization coefficient, which provides versatility and higher accuracy in the regression process of ionization coefficients obtained by solving the Boltzmann equation of gas mixtures with various combination ratios. Generalization factors, which provide the highest accuracy in the regression process are identified. Then, versatile models are derived for each gas mixture based on the Townsend breakdown criterion. The versatile modeling procedure not only provides improved accuracy in the dielectric strength estimation of gas mixtures, but also presents an effective way of estimating variations in dielectric strength caused by changes in gas composition and temperature. The validity of the versatile modeling procedure is confirmed by breakdown measurements conducted with a number of gas mixtures at various gas pressures and temperatures.