Note: Multi-gap gas switch with low trigger-threshold voltage by mounting resistors and capacitors in parallel with...

Area of Science:

• Electrical Engineering
• Plasma Physics
• Pulsed Power Systems

Background:

• Multi-gap gas switches are crucial components in linear transformer drivers.
• Traditional designs require high trigger voltages, often limited by uneven gap voltage distribution due to stray capacitance.
• Achieving low jitter at reduced trigger voltages is a persistent challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose and investigate a method for reducing the trigger threshold voltage of multi-gap gas switches.
• To analyze the impact of parallel resistor-capacitor (RC) networks on gap voltage distribution and triggering characteristics.
• To maintain low timing jitter while decreasing the required trigger voltage.

Main Methods:

• Development of a circuit model for a six-gap gas switch.
• Analysis of gap voltage distribution during the triggering process, considering stray capacitances.
• Experimental investigation of the effects of varying capacitor parameters in parallel RC networks.
• Comparison of triggering characteristics between the modified and original switch designs.

Main Results:

• The proposed method effectively modifies the gap voltage distribution during triggering.
• The trigger voltage was reduced from 110 kV to 75 kV under specific operating conditions (±80 kV charging voltage, 60% self-breakdown voltage).
• The timing jitter of the switch was maintained at 3.2 ns, comparable to the original design.

Conclusions:

• Mounting resistors and capacitors in parallel with switch gaps is an effective strategy to lower trigger voltage.
• The parallel RC network helps achieve a more uniform voltage distribution, allowing for lower trigger thresholds.
• This technique offers a viable solution for improving the efficiency and performance of multi-gap gas switches in pulsed power applications without compromising timing stability.