Method of nanosecond triggering for a sealed-off pseudospark switch

Abstract

This paper describes a method of nanosecond triggering for the modified version of the commercially produced pseudospark switch TPI1-10k/50. The switch uses the trigger unit with the auxiliary glow discharge, and the proposed method is based on the principle of the current interception from the trigger unit to the grounded cathode cavity when the trigger pulse arrives. Different electric circuits for triggering have been investigated. In the circuit, where the so-called trigger resistor or the trigger inductance are available, in the whole range of hydrogen operating pressure, the range of the delay time of triggering corresponds to (80–100) ns with a jitter of (3–6) ns. In the electric circuit, where the trigger resistor is shortened, the delay time increases to about (110–140) ns. However, the jitter remains at approximately the same level.