The Effects On Electrode Damage Of Delaying The Onset High Pressure Spark Gaps

We are conducting experiments using a small saturable inductor to delay, after the initial closure of the gap, the onset of the large current through a high pressure (> latm) gas insulated spark gap. These experiments have shown a decrease in initial turn-on losses as a result of this delay. We are looking for a possible reduction in electrode erosion as a result of the reduced energy losses. Electrode erosion limits the peak current and charge transfer capacity of a gas switch as well as the interval (number of pulses) between reworking or replacing its electrodes. Gas recovery time limits repetition rates. Even at relatively low repetition rates the cooling requirements of a switch for high peak power continuous operation applications is not trivial and the limited shot life make intervals between maintenance short. The lifetime of a high current gas insulated spark gap may be substantially increased by minimizing the energy dissipated in the switch and by controlling the way this energy is dissipated. Losses in short (