Title :
High-power pseudospark and BLT switches
Author :
Frank, Klaus ; Boggasch, Ekkehard ; Christiansen, Jorgen ; Goertler, A. ; Hartmann, W. ; Kozlik, C. ; Kirkman, G. ; Braun, Claus ; Dominic, V. ; Gundersen, M.A. ; Riege, H. ; Mechterscheimer, G.
Author_Institution :
Phys. Inst., Erlangen-Nurnberg Univ., West Germany
fDate :
4/1/1988 12:00:00 AM
Abstract :
A review is presented of recent developments in a new group of high-power hollow-electrode switches, including the pseudospark and the backlighted thyratron (BLT). Experiments demonstrate that for several key high-power switching performance factors, the pseudospark and BLT switches are superior to either high-pressure spark gap switches or thyratrons or, in some cases, both. High performance has been demonstrated in peak current (>100 kA), current rate of rise (>10 12 A/s), switching precision, trigger efficiency, current reversal (100%), and recovery time. Several electrical and optical trigger methods have been demonstrated and are described
Keywords :
sparks; switches; thyratrons; BLT switches; backlighted thyratron; current rate of rise; current reversal; electrical trigger method; high-power hollow-electrode switches; optical trigger methods; peak current; performance factors; pseudospark; recovery time; switching precision; trigger efficiency; Copper; Electron beams; Gas lasers; Hydrogen; Optical switches; Research and development; Sparks; Testing; Thyratrons; Voltage;
Journal_Title :
Plasma Science, IEEE Transactions on
