High-power pseudospark and BLT switches

Journal Article · Fri Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1988 · IEEE Trans. Plasma Sci.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1109/27.3831· OSTI ID:7168238

Frank, K; Boggasch, E; Christiansen, J; Goertler, A; Hartmann, W; Kozlik, C; Kirkman, G; Braun, C; Dominic, V; Gundersen, M A

A review of recent developments in a new group of highpower hollow-electrode switches, including the pseudospark and the backlighted thyratron (BLT), is presented. Experiments demonstrate that for several key high-power switching performance factors, the pseudospark and BKT switches are superior to either high-pressure spark gap switches or thyratrons or, in some cases, both. High performance has been demonstrated in peak current ( >100 kA), current rate of rise ( >10/sup 12/ A/s), switching precision, trigger efficiency, current reversal (100 percent), and recovery time. Several electrical and optical trigger methods have been demonstrated and are described. Pseudosparks and BLT's have also been tested as switches for different types of gas lasers, including copper vapor, N/sub 2/, and excimer lasers.

• Research Organization: Physikalisches Institut, Univ. of Erlangen-Nurnberg, D-8520 Erlangen (DE)
• OSTI ID: 7168238
• Journal Information: IEEE Trans. Plasma Sci.; (United States), Journal Name: IEEE Trans. Plasma Sci.; (United States) Vol. 16:2; ISSN ITPSB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
420300* -- Engineering-- Lasers-- (-1989)
DATA
ELECTRIC DISCHARGES
ELECTRIC SPARKS
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
ELECTRODES
ELECTRON TUBES
ELECTRONIC CIRCUITS
EXCIMER LASERS
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
GAS DISCHARGE TUBES
GAS LASERS
HIGH PRESSURE
INFORMATION
LASERS
METAL VAPOR LASERS
NUMERICAL DATA
PERFORMANCE TESTING
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PULSE CIRCUITS
SWITCHING CIRCUITS
TESTING
THYRATRONS
TRIGGER CIRCUITS