Triggerable gas discharge switch - has triggering electrode at rear of cathode for generating glow discharge, and provides electron=optical lens having focus at cathode aperture for concentrating fast electrons into main discharge path

摘要

The gas discharge switch has a cathode (11), anode (12) and auxiliary electrode (13). The cathode serves as a main electrode. The elements are coaxial with each other and the distance between the cathode and anode is 3-5 mm. The electrodes are located in a container with a gas pressure of 10-100 Pascals. The container is formed of ceramic isolators (1, 2) with metal end discs (3,4), that form connectors. The cathode has a cylindrical recess (7) that receives the auxiliary electrode and coaxial apertures (14, 15). A glow discharge is produced in the space between the main and auxiliary electrodes to trigger the main discharge. An electrostatic, magnetic or electromagnetic solenoid electron=optical lens having its focus at the cathode aperture is provided for concentrating fast electrons into the main discharge path. USE/ADVANTAGE - Provides switching frequency of 100 Hz and pulse duration of 0.1 to 1 microsecond, with short delay and discharge start jitter of less than 5 nanoseconds.