High power, high repetition rate switches: an overview

All directed energy concepts require a pulsed power system to operate. Several of the systems considered must operate repetitively. Currents in the range of kA to MA, voltages in the range of kV to MV, repetition rates of 10 Hz to 100 kHz, and pulse widths of 100 nanoseconds to 100 milliseconds, are reasonable requirements. The author discusses some of the research on high power switching technology with the emphasis on opening switches. The requirements and types of switch are briefly discussed and then the development trends of three switches are described. The three switches are plasma switches, gas discharge switches, and solid state switches