Recombination Studies Of A High Current Ignitron

Plasma studies done on a high current demountable ignitron, utilizing a 70 GHz microwave interferometer, are described. While the estimated conduction plasma density of the tube derived from other research´ is well above the 6*1013 CM-3 cutoff density of the 70 GHz microwavese information about the plasma recombination was obtained after the ignitron conduction period when the plasma density was below the cutoff level . The recombination time of an ignitron, and indeed many other types of switches, is a factor affecting the Upper limit of the pulse repetition capabilities of the switch. To date, not much attention has been paid to improving, or indeed even characterizing the repetition rate capabilities of the new generation of pulsed power ignitrons like the NL-9000, manufactured by Richardson Electronics. Results of the interferometer measurement at various peak current levels, along with computer simulations of the interferometer output will be described.