Modeling of Delay Time in Planar Multi-Gap Multi-Channel Gas Switches

Planar multi-gap multi-channel gas switches working under atmospheric pressure show promise for future linear-transformer-driver (LTD). In this paper, based on the gas discharge theory, a physical model of delay time, including the switching time (statistical and formative time lags) and the commutation time (resistive phase and inductive phase), is established to understand developing process of multiple discharge channels of planar multi-gap multi-channel gas switches. After that, an experimental platform is established to study the delay time of the switch and the developing process of multiple parallel discharge channels. We outline the result of delay time test. A high speed ICCD framing camera is used to catch the images of multiple discharge channels in the breakdown process. Some useful images are obtained by the camera and help us to understand the developing process of multiple discharge channels. These work and results may give us some guidelines to design and apply a multi-gap multi-channel gas switch in the future.