Two site Marx switch with graphite electrodes

The authors are developing a long-life, graphite-electrode Marx switch for the DECADE-Quad machine which will operate four times longer between servicing than the metal-electrode switches presently used. The new switch has two sites to prevent the graphite from spalling. To ensure that the current is shared between the sites, the switch uses a gas mixture of 80% argon and 20% SF/sub 6/. In addition, each switch site is illuminated with ultraviolet light. The switch operates at full voltage, /spl plusmn/85 kV.