High current density glow discharge switch

摘要

The present invention is directed to a high current density glow discharge switch which is capable of preventing confinement of an electron current to the vicinity of the center of a flat electrode during the operation of the switch to prevent an increase in the temperature of the flat electrode and thereby provide a highly reliable and stable switch having a long lifetime. A cathode and an anode each include a flat electrode having a central hole and a cup-shaped electrode electrically connected to the flat electrode. The cathode and the anode are disposed such that the flat electrodes face each other. A cylindrical insulator is disposed on the outside of the cathode and the anode. A coil for generating a magnetic field is disposed on the outside of the cylindrical insulator. Hydrogen gas is sealed in a sealed space defined by the cylindrical insulator, the cathode and the anode.