High Temperature Dielectric Breakdown of Alkali Halides

Abstract

In the high temperature region much of the experimental work on the dielectric breakdown of the alkali halides is apparently conflicting. If, however, it is assumed that, breakdown is thermal in nature instead of intrinsic, reasons can be given which reduce the difference between various sets of existing experimental results. A calcula· t,ion of the thermal breakdown strength is given based on the assumption that the electrical conductivity is principally ionic. The magnitude and temperature variation of the breakdown strength is given correctly without disposable constants. Some suggestions are given for experimental work which may clear up outstanding difficulties.