What is paschen curve?

1. The Paschen curve, named after Friedrich Paschen, is a graphical representation of the breakdown voltage of a gas in a discharge gap as a function of pressure and gap distance.

2. The Paschen curve is used to determine the conditions under which a gas will breakdown and become conductive, allowing for the formation of an electrical discharge.

3. The curve shows that there is a minimum breakdown voltage for a given gas at a specific combination of pressure and gap distance. This minimum breakdown voltage occurs at what is known as the Paschen minimum.

4. The Paschen curve is important in the design of gas-filled discharge tubes, such as neon signs, fluorescent lights, and gas discharge lamps.

5. The curve is typically plotted with pressure on the x-axis and breakdown voltage on the y-axis, with curves for different gap distances shown for comparison.

6. The Paschen curve is a useful tool for engineers and designers to determine the optimal operating conditions for gas-filled discharge devices, ensuring efficient and reliable performance.