Triggering of radial multichannel pseudospark switches by a pulsed hollow cathode discharge

Author

Tkotz ; Schlaug ; Christiansen ; Frank ; Görtler, A. ; Schwandner

Author_Institution

Dept. of Phys., Erlangen-Nurnberg Univ., Germany

Volume

24

Issue

1

fYear

1996

fDate

2/1/1996 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

53

Lastpage

54

Abstract

We report on a special trigger discharge for pulsed high-power pseudospark switches. The switch used is a radial three-channel pseudospark switch. For triggering, a cylindrical trigger electrode is inserted into the hollow cathode of the main gap. This electrode acts as a hollow cathode for the dc preionization, while the hollow cathode of the main gap is the anode. A negative high-voltage pulse supplied to the trigger electrode ignites the main discharge. We report the temporal evolution of the trigger discharge observed with a fast camera. This trigger method gives an excellent current distribution among the discharge channels, as can be proven by fast photography. The switch has a delay of 220 ns and a jitter of 15 ns

Keywords

glow discharges; plasma devices; plasma switches; pulsed power switches; sparks; switchgear; DC preionization; current distribution; cylindrical trigger electrode; discharge channels; fast camera; negative high-voltage pulse; pulsed high-power pseudospark switches; pulsed hollow cathode discharge; radial multichannel pseudospark switches triggering; trigger discharge; Anodes; Apertures; Cameras; Cathodes; Current distribution; Delay; Electrodes; Optical switches; Photography; Voltage;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Plasma Science, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0093-3813

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/27.491687

Filename

491687