Impact-Ionization Switching of High-Voltage Thyristors Connected in Parallel

Thyristors triggered in the impact-ionization wave mode is a promising switching method in pulsed power technology. This triggering approach enhances the current capability of standard thyristors, allowing switching a current pulse with an amplitude of 200 kA and a current rise time rate-of-change (dI/dt) of 58 kA/
$\mu \text{s}$
. Thyristor wafer area can be considered as one of the factors that are limiting the peak current amplitude and dI/dt. Switching thyristors in parallel is a possible solution to overcome these limitations. However, no evidence was found in the literature for successful parallel switching of standard thyristors in the impact-ionization wave mode. In this research, the possibility of parallel switching of two standard thyristors rated for 2.2 kV with a wafer diameter of 32 mm was investigated. A Marx generator equipped with a peaking module was used to charge the thyristor equivalent capacitance (1 nF) up to double its static breakdown voltage with a voltage rise time rate-of-change (dV/dt) of more than 1 kV/ns, as required for impact-ionization triggering. The diagnostic system includes two wideband voltage probes (VPs) with a subnanosecond time response, which allows simultaneous measurement of a voltage drop across each thyristor connected in parallel. Two stages of thyristor operation were investigated: 1) a triggering stage, without energy switching, when a dc bias voltage is applied; and 2) a current flow stage, with energy switching, when an
$RLC$
discharge circuit is connected. In these experiments, thyristors change from blocking to conducting state within 400 ps, switching a current pulse with an amplitude of 11 kA and a dI/dt of 6 kA/
$\mu \text{s}$
(circuit limits). The current imbalance between the thyristors was less than 10%. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, it is the first time reported that high-voltage thyristors connected in parallel have been successfully triggered in the impact-ionization wave mode.