New concepts for high current self-sustained diffuse discharge closing switches
Developed are new switching concepts that potentially can increase the efficiency and stability of high current diffuse discharges when used in repetitive fast closing switch applications. The primary advantage of diffuse discharges over spark gap closing switches is that a diffuse discharge has a much faster recovery time (<10/sup -4/ s) compared to an arc discharge (>10/sup -3/ s), enabling the switch to be operated at high repetition rates. The major disadvantage of diffuse discharges are the high sustaining voltage across the discharge and the resultant high switch impedance (several ohms) compared with spark gaps (<<1..cap omega..). Also explored is a new diffuse glow discharge operating scheme with a new type of gas mixture whose components collectively possess an ionization coefficient, ..cap alpha../N, at low E/N which is larger than the attachment coefficient, eta/N, over a given, E/N range, while at higher E/N values, eta/N is larger than ..cap alpha../N over another range of E/N values.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA); Tennessee Univ., Knoxville (USA). Dept. of Physics
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-84OR21400
- OSTI ID:
- 6082458
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-870656-32; ON: DE87011678
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 6. Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers pulsed power conference, Arlington, VA, USA, 29 Jun 1987; Other Information: Paper copy only, copy does not permit microfiche production
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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