Simulation of the switching performance of an optically triggered pseudo-spark thyratron

Journal Article · Fri Sep 15 04:00:00 EDT 1989 · Journal of Applied Physics; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.344291· OSTI ID:5677688

Pak, H; Kushner, M J ^[1]

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1. University of Illinois, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Gaseous Electronics Laboratory, 607 East Healey, Champaign, Illinois 61820 (US)

The optically triggered pseudo-spark, also known as the back-lit thyratron, is a low-pressure plasma switch having an unheated metallic cathode, which has performance specifications competitive with conventional hot cathode thyratrons. In this paper a computer simulation of the BLT is presented. The simulation consists of a 2 1/2 -dimensional time-dependent continuum model for electron and ion transport using the local field approximation. The model includes an external circuit, and the user may specify the type of gas, pressure, geometry, and electrode materials. Predictions for the anode delay time are compared to experiment as a function of pressure ({ital p}), cathode-anode spacing ({ital d}), and trigger fluence. We find that switch closure depends critically on the formation of a virtual anode in front of the cathode hole by generation of positive space charge, and that the anode delay time decreases with increasing {ital p}, trigger fluence {ital d}, and cathode hole diameter. We also find switch performance is not well characterized by the {ital pd} product as in other plasma switches. Rather, we find these quantities depend separately on {ital p} and {ital d} in a manner which is a function of the geometry of the cathode.

• OSTI ID: 5677688
• Journal Information: Journal of Applied Physics; (USA), Journal Name: Journal of Applied Physics; (USA) Vol. 66:6; ISSN 0021-8979; ISSN JAPIA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
420800* -- Engineering-- Electronic Circuits & Devices-- (-1989)
CATHODES
CHARGED PARTICLES
CHARGED-PARTICLE TRANSPORT
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
ELECTRODES
ELECTRON TUBES
ELECTRONS
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
EQUIPMENT
FERMIONS
GAS DISCHARGE TUBES
GEOMETRY
IONS
LEPTONS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MATHEMATICS
PLASMA SWITCHES
RADIATION TRANSPORT
SIMULATION
SPACE CHARGE
SWITCHES
THYRATRONS