High-efficiency high-voltage pulse generator based on a fast recovery pseudospark switch

Experiments are reported to demonstrate the ability of pseudospark switches for extremely fast recovery after forward conduction at an anode voltage of up to 25 kV and peak anode currents of 1 to 2 kA. At a pulse duration of around 5 μs and at a rate of current rise of up to 1 kA/μs, the reverse current is blocked at current zero transition due to an extremely fast recovery rate. The maximum achievable rate of rise of anode voltage after current zero is above 50 kV/μs; the recovery time of the switch, as measured from the end of the anode current pulse to >80% of anode voltage recovery, is of the order of 0.3 μs. Initial experiments toward reprate applications were successful in a burst mode operation, at a circuit-limited pulse repetition rate of up to 96 pps