Novel spark-gap switch design for pulsed power applications

A critical component for pulsed power sources is the switch. Main related issues are life-time, stability, cost, repetition rate, hold-off voltage and current ratings. This paper discusses these problems, presents a high repetition rate (1-1000 pps), large average power (1-10 kW), and long-life time spark-gap switch. Due to its coaxial design, the inductance of the switch is low, enabling fast switching, i.e. less than 5 ns voltage rise-time. The switch is used with a LCR trigger circuit. It is observed that the switch has a good stability, and its lifetime is estimated to be in the order of 4·1010 shots. (6 pages)