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U.S. Department of Energy
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Cascade switch implementation on PBFA I

Conference ·
OSTI ID:5580964

The triggered gas switches in PBFA I were recently changed from a single gap trigatron design to a 15-stage cascade design with a relatively short triggered gap. This improved design provides a low jitter value and has an extremely low probability of prefire. The triggered section represents about one-third of the total voltage of the switch and is triggered with a pin configuration similar to the previous trigatron design. The fields in the triggered gap were adjusted to allow prompt triggering and yet avoid prefires in the trigger gap at the operating gas pressure. Operating parameters of the switch will be discussed along with an analysis of the improved machine performance with respect to jitter, prefire probability, and operating voltage.

Research Organization:
Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-76DP00789
OSTI ID:
5580964
Report Number(s):
SAND-84-2459C; CONF-850616-52; ON: DE85013955
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English