Space and surface charge excitation of a slanted dielectric interface between two electrodes

The two-dimensional, electrostatic problem of a planar dielectric interface between two perfectly conducting plates was solved numerically. The solution allows for an arbitrary interface angle relative to the plates as well arbitrary distributions of both charge within the volume and surface charge along the interface. The problem is treated by first converting the governing differential equations to a pair of coupled integral equations using Green's function techniques, then solving these integral equations numerically using moment methods. The work was motivated by the need to understand the physics of dielectric breakdown by flashover in high voltage insulator applications. Of particular interest is the physics associated with magnetic flashover inhibition (MFI), a possible method of significantly increasing insulator breakdown strength above that possibly using currently proven technologies.