Design of a simple and low-cost solid-state ultra-fast high-voltage switch

Area of Science:

• Electrical Engineering
• Analytical Chemistry
• Materials Science

Background:

• Ultra-fast high-voltage switches (UFHVSs) are crucial for precise ion control in time-of-flight mass spectrometers.
• Key performance metrics include adjustable pulse width, high amplitude, and fast transition times, alongside cost-effectiveness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and present a cost-effective and easily fabricated 5000V bipolar solid-state UFHVS.
• To enhance the performance and applicability of UFHVSs in high-resolution mass spectrometry.

Main Methods:

• A double-pulse transformer was employed for high- and low-voltage isolation.
• Series-connected cascode Silicon Carbide Field-Effect Transistors (SiC FETs) were utilized in a push-pull configuration.
• A novel driving scheme was implemented to transmit long drive signals without transformer magnetic saturation.

Main Results:

• The developed UFHVS achieved an output voltage of 5000V with a pulse width of 150 µs.
• Remarkably fast rising and falling times of 8.5 ns and 18.3 ns were recorded, respectively.
• The switch demonstrated negligible voltage decay, ensuring signal integrity.

Conclusions:

• The presented UFHVS offers a practical and economical solution for high-resolution mass spectrometry applications.
• The design successfully balances high performance with low cost and ease of fabrication.
• This advancement facilitates improved ion acceleration, deceleration, and temporal focusing in mass spectrometers.