SN-series pseudospark switches operating completely without permanent heating new prospects of application

Summary form only given: Hydrogen thyratrons along with spark gaps have been the first and till the end of XX century the most widespread switching elements in pulsed power. Their physical and technical parameters allow them to be capable of operating in systems where a totality of parameters such as high timing stability, independence of electrical ratings on anode voltage, high pulse repetition rates, tolerance to severe environmental conditions (including high radiation doze), surge capability, ability to switch oscillating discharge current, offering high rates of current rise up to 1011 A/s etc, is required. Meanwhile a presence of heated parts-cathode and hydrogen reservoir, defines a number of shortcomings of hydrogen thyratrons if compared to competitors-spark and vacuum switches, ignitrons, solid state switches. Pseudospark switches (PSSs) designed and built in the end of 1980s do not have hot cathode, however to maintain a stable working gas (hydrogen, deuterium) pressure the switches require a constant heating of hydrogen reservoir. The presence of the reservoir does not allow to use the potential of PSSs completely. The PSSs of TDI- and TPI-type serially produced in Russia are a great extent free of the mentioned shortcomings. TDI-type thyratrons having low inductivity are capable of conducting currents up to 200 kA at current rise rates up to 5-1012 A/s, anode delay time 50-200 ns and time jitter of less than 4 ns. TPI-type thyratrons are intended for switching up to tens kA with discharge development time up to 3-5 ns, time jitter 0.4-5 ns, recovery time less 1 ?s. By using a specially designed built-in device-selective reversible hydrogen leakage a long service time of the switches (designated as SN-thyratrons) has been achieved without application of external filaments power supplies. The creation of SN-thyratrons allows to have principally novel, unique switches combining the best features of thyratrons, vacuum and spark gaps, solid state switches. In the report the design and results of long-term test of Russian pseudospark switches providing a wide number of perspective applications are presented.