Ito, T M, Ramsey, J C, Yao, W, Beck, D H, Cianciolo, V, Clayton, S M, Crawford, C, Currie, S A, Filippone, B W, Griffith, W C, Makela, M, Schmid, R, Seidel, G M, Tang, Z, Wagner, D, Wei, W and Williamson, S E (2016) An apparatus for studying electrical breakdown in liquid helium at 0.4 K and testing electrode materials for the SNS nEDM experiment. Review of Scientific Instruments, 87 (4). 045113. ISSN 0034-6748

	PDF - Accepted Version Download (4MB)
	PDF - Published Version Download (19MB)

Abstract

We have constructed an apparatus to study DC electrical breakdown in liquid helium at temperatures as low as 0.4 K and at pressures between the saturated vapor pressure and ∼600 torr. The apparatus can house a set of electrodes that are 12 cm in diameter with a gap of 1 − 2 cm between them, and a potential up to ±50 kV can be applied to each electrode. Initial results demonstrated that it is possible to apply fields exceeding 100 kV/cm in a 1 cm gap between two electropolished stainless steel electrodes 12 cm in diameter for a wide range of pressures at 0.4 K. We also measured the current between two electrodes. Our initial results, I < 1 pA at 45 kV, correspond to a lower bound on the effective volume resistivity of LHe of ρ_V > 5 × 1018 Ω·cm. This lower bound is 5 times larger than the bound previously measured. We report the design, construction, and operational experience of the apparatus, as well as initial results.

Item Type:	Article
Schools and Departments:	School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences > Physics and Astronomy
Subjects:	Q Science > QC Physics > QC0770 Nuclear and particle physics. Atomic energy. Radioactivity > QC0793 Elementary particle physics
Depositing User:	William Griffith
Date Deposited:	19 Jul 2016 10:10
Last Modified:	11 Jan 2018 11:40
URI:	http://srodev.sussex.ac.uk/id/eprint/62041

Available Versions of this Item

• An apparatus for studying electrical breakdown in liquid helium at 0.4 K and testing electrode materials for the SNS nEDM experiment. (deposited 11 Apr 2016 15:35)
  • An apparatus for studying electrical breakdown in liquid helium at 0.4 K and testing electrode materials for the SNS nEDM experiment. (deposited 19 Jul 2016 10:10) [Currently Displayed]

View download statistics for this item

📧 Request an update