A review of high-power switch technology

The basic operation and some of the performance parameters and limitations of various high-power switches with potential for rep-rated operation are summarized. The specific switches included are: thyratrons, ingitrons, liquid metal plasma valve, crossed field tube, vacuum tube, spark gaps (gas, liquid, vacuum, and solid), thyristors, transistors, mechanical switches, vacuum arc opening switch, electron-beam switches, dielectric surface discharge switches, thermally driven opening switches, and superconducting switches.