High Peak Power Solid State Switches

This paper describes the design and performance of solid state switches developed for applications ranging from low repetition rates with moderate average power to high repetition rates with high average power. These switches use multiple series connected small 5300 V thyristors capable of 14 kA peak currents and >25 kA/mus rate of current risetimes. These switch designs use patented self powered gate drives. One example is a 24 kV switch for operation at 2 pps that replaces spark gaps in a medical application in which the switch current has a ringing discharge with a peak forward value of 9 kA and a quarter cycle time of 500 ns. Switches used in fast kicker magnet drivers and to build solid state replacements for thyratrons are another example. Finally a 68 kV switch developed as a replacement for an F187 thyratron will be described which is intended for operation at a peak current of 7 kA and a repetition rate of 50 pps