The breakdown mechanism of a mid-plane triggered spark gap trigatron

A mid-plane triggered spark gap trigatron prototype with adjustable main gap distance and replaceable trigger electrode was constructed and experimentally investigated. The electric parameter measurements, the luminosity measurements and the streak image converter camera were used to study the breakdown mechanism. Electric field distribution in the gap was calculated for the trigatron static and dynamic conditions. The experimental results and analysis show that the space charge around the trigger electrode plays an important role in the breakdown process. Because of the ultra violet irradiation and the existing discharge channel of the first gap segment breakdown, the second gap segment breakdown is much faster. For a mid-plane triggered spark gap trigatron, the optimization of the electric field distribution under dynamic condition can increase the dynamic triggering range appreciably.