Small BLT Switch for Compact Pulsed Power Studies

We report results of studies of a small pseudospark and back-lighted thyratron (BLT) switch, operating with currents >4 kA, and hold off >20 kV. The switch was operated in an optically triggered mode (BLT) with helium fill for >10⁶ pulses, with 0.5 mC transfer per pulse, at a repetition rate of 10 Hz without significant decay of switch performance. Additional studies with gases including hydrogen and electrically triggered pseudospark operation are reported, and we discuss integration into lumped-element Blumlein architecture (output to approx. 60 kV) as well. These studies suggest that the small pseudospark/BLT is a potential pathway towards ultra compact superemissive cathode-based switches for compact repetitive pulsed power applications.