X-ray triggered switching in SF/sub 6/ insulated spark gaps
Several methods are being investigated for triggering low-jitter pressurized, SF/sub 6/-insulated spark gaps operating at 3 MV with the capability of switching hundreds of kiloamperes. One method, which is located external to the main current carrying plasma channel, uses pulsed x-rays to generate ionization within the working gas volume to initiate low jitter gas breakdown. In this paper, a model of gas breakdown with x-ray ionization is developed and results of two series of experiments are described. One experiment used 35 kV with a 1.83 mm gap and the other used 1 MV with a 7.62 cm gap. Both experiments used a 600 kV Febetron 706 flash x-ray source to demonstrate the feasibility of using pulsed x-rays as a means of triggering SF/sub 6/ insulated gaps with nanosecond jitter.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-76DP00789
- OSTI ID:
- 5311583
- Report Number(s):
- SAND-80-0506C; CONF-800640-13
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
KrF laser-triggered SF/sub 6/ spark gap for low jitter timing
Uv laser triggering of high-voltage gas switches
Related Subjects
420800* -- Engineering-- Electronic Circuits & Devices-- (-1989)
BEAM CURRENTS
BREAKDOWN
CURRENTS
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELECTRONIC CIRCUITS
EQUIPMENT
FLUORIDES
FLUORINE COMPOUNDS
HALIDES
HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
IONIZING RADIATIONS
KILO AMP BEAM CURRENTS
PULSE CIRCUITS
PULSE TECHNIQUES
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATIONS
SPARK GAPS
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SULFUR FLUORIDES
SWITCHES
TRIGGER CIRCUITS
X RADIATION