A magnetically delayed vacuum switch for multi-kilohertz pulsed-power applications

It is shown that, by utilizing a saturable inductor in series with a conventional trigatron vacuum gap, greatly improved switching performance over that of either switch alone can be realized. Power dissipation is reduced and voltage and current transitions are much faster and smoother due to well-behaved saturation characteristics of the core material and proper preparation of the switching gap conductivity. Under closely monitored conditions, the authors have performed several experiments to characterize how well the magnetically delayed vacuum switch (MDVS) operates. These include comparing voltage and current waveforms, voltage probing, framing photography, a qualitative erosion study, and high-frequency burst mode tests. During testing, the MDVS has demonstrated excellent triggering characteristics, excellent recovery, and low energy losses. High-repeat-rate operation at >11 kHz was also demonstrated