Application of TPI-thyratrons in a double-pulse mode power modulator with inductive-resistive load

A double pulse modulator is described that is capable of generating two pulses of 200 ns duration at peak currents up to 10 kA with the delay between pulses as short as 2 μs. The TPI1-10k/50 tetrode and the TPI5-10k/50 pentode cold cathode thyratrons, which can be operated at voltages up to 50 kV, have been used as switching elements. A voltage hold-off recovery time of less than 1 μs has been demonstrated at an operating current of 7 kA and a reverse voltage hold-off of 24 kV. Unlike common gaseous switches, TPI thyratrons can operate for over 20,000 h at hundreds of kHz. These devices are serious competitors to both conventional hydrogen hot cathode thyratrons and to high-power solid-state switches. TPI thyratrons are particularly advantageous in burst mode operation where direct and reverse voltages in the range of tens of kV, currents up to 10 kA, nanosecond jitter and risetimes of 1-5 ns are required.