Plasma generation with a thin-wire discharge for use as pseudospark discharge initiation

Summary form only given. A study of thin-wire discharges for plasma generation in and as a trigger for pseudospark switches is presented. The large ratio of cathode to anode area in a thin-wire discharge results in robust and reliable plasma generation over the usual switch hold off pressure range of 0.05-1 Torr. In addition, the small wire area results in small current collection during the main switch conduction phase, simplifying the trigger protection circuit. The wire trigger arrangement enables a reduction in size of the pseudospark switch as it needs no additional volume than the cathode cavity already existing. The wire can be floated during the main discharge, minimizing ion bombardment and sputtering and contributing to long life. The expected long life characteristic compares advantageously with the competing commercial dielectric surface discharge trigger system, also capable of operating over large ranges of pressures.