Experimental Study of Flat Format Multichannel Triggered Rail Spark Gap

Abstract

This paper is concerned with the development and testing of a compact flat format multichannel electrically triggered rail spark gap. It is tested for multichannel discharge under atmosphere for high reliability. Multichannel discharge rail spark gaps can be developed using laser trigger or fast rising trigger voltage pulse . The extra volume and weight added by laser or fast triggering circuits limit the use in pulse power applications. An electrically multitriggered low-inductance spark gap is developed. It is used as a multichannel low-inductance discharging element in a fast rising high-current generation system. The trigger of such rail gap is realized using the set of round copper pins similar to single trigger pin in a field distortion spark gap. In parenthesis, five different trigger pins are located in main trigger plate and these are isolated with high impedance. Therefore, five different trigger signals are generated with time difference of tens of nanoseconds. The major material erosion at five points of both stainless steel main electrodes confirms the multichanneling discharge. The main gap spacing in this switch is 4 mm and the trigger is located close to the ground electrode for reducing the delay time and jitter in delay time. This paper shows the trigger circuit design, main gap voltage, and trigger voltage effect on the closing of the spark gap and picture of electrodes after use.