Influence of ambient gases on the dc saturated breakdown field of molybdenum, tungsten, and copper during intense breakdown conditioning

A comprehensive investigation of the effect of Ar, H2, air, and CO on the saturated breakdown field (Esat) of molybdenum, tungsten, and copper has been performed at intensive breakdown conditioning. A significant decrease in Esat is observed for molybdenum and tungsten when exposed to air. Specifically, at air pressures of ∼10-5 mbar, the decrease in Esat is found to be up to 50% and ∼30% compared to UHV conditions for molybdenum and tungsten, respectively. In addition, a ∼30% decrease is found when molybdenum is conditioned with a ∼10-5 mbar CO pressure. Surface analysis measurements and breakdown conditioning in O2 ambience imply that the origin of the decrease in Esat is closely linked to oxide formation on the electrode surfaces. Ex situ heat treatment of molybdenum is shown to improve the breakdown characteristics drastically.