An investigation into high speed gas breakdown [in pulsed power switches]

There is presently considerable interest being shown in high pressure, high speed plasma closing switches. These switches are useful in many applications, for example providing fast risetime pulses to drive lasers and ultra wide band (UWB) radar equipment. One of the advantages of such switches is that they are capable of exhibiting rapid voltage collapse (sub-nanosecond) over a range of voltages and pressures. Such rapid switch closure is desirable in order to minimise energy losses in the switch. Good voltage holdoff can be achieved by pulse charging the switch with a fast rising pulse. This mode of operation means that the switch can reliably self-break with high overvoltage, low jitter operation being achieved.