A new nanosecond switch triggered by array microhollow cathode discharge

The structure and mechanism of array microhollow cathode are introduced in this paper. Triggered by such structure, nanosecond switches can realize multichannel discharge at atmosphere with low trigger voltage. The structure of microhollow cathode is two electrodes divided by 200μm thick dielectric and threaded by about 100μm hollow. Array microhollow cathode can produce multichannel atmospheric discharge with high-energy and high-density electrons. We focused on the influence of trigger current, the number of microhollow cathode holes, the diameter of the microhollow cathode hole and the ratio of switch working voltage on the trigger voltage and the delay time and jitter of the switch.