Fiber-optic-triggered high-power low-pressure glow discharge switches

The development of a novel version of an optically triggered low-pressure high-power glow discharge switch is reported. Characteristic of these type of switches are high-voltage hold-off, high peak current capability, excellent current rise rate, low delay and jitter, and a simple device geometry. This method of triggering guides a UV light pulse through a fiber-optic cable to the aperture in the cathode electrode. Photoelectrons are produced and quickly avalanche to initiate the discharge, and a glow discharge is formed. Jitter and delay of 0.4 ns half-width half-maximum (HWHM) and 78 ns, respectively, have been obtained and reliable triggering has been demonstrated with energies as low as 10 mu J of UV light. This device is considered suitable for scaling switches to very high current and voltages by simultaneously triggering multiple gaps in parallel or series.<
>