Life extension of thyratrons in short pulse circuits with the use of saturable magnetic sharpeners

Recent developments in dispenser cathode thyratrons have shifted the dominant life-limiting factor to the anode in high di/dt short-pulse circuits. Calculations and measurements indicate that the addition of a magnetic switch should reduce the anode temperature and the erosion rate. The addition of a saturating magnetic switch has several advantages. First, by reducing the amount of anode dissipation during the commutation phase of the thyratron, it reduces cooling requirements. Second, it reduces the switching time in a thyratron limited circuit; and third, it can decrease the amount of anode damage due to high-energy electrons associated with the commutation phase or anode fall. The saturating magnetic switch allows the anode voltage to collapse while delaying the forward current, thus reducing the electron energy to a level below that which results in erosion