Methods of triggering for the cold-cathode thyratrons with a trigger system based on an auxiliary glow discharge

Y D Korolev,A V Bolotov,V G Geyman,N V Landl,G A Argunov,O B Frants

doi:10.1063/1.5117188

Abstract

The paper deals with the investigations of the modernized version of the cold-cathode thyratron TPI1-10k/50 as applied to the problem of nanosecond triggering. The newly developed trigger unit of the device is based on the low-current auxiliary glow discharge with hollow cathode and hollow anode. The regimes for sustaining the auxiliary discharge have been recommended. The characteristic feature of the regimes is that the parasitic current to the main cathode appears due to the ion flow. In such conditions, a rather high hold-off voltage of the device (at a level of 40 kV) is assured. The thyratron with the novel trigger system offers a possibility to use very different methods of triggering. We have proposed and investigated three methods providing the nanosecond stability with respect to the instant at which the trigger pulse arrives to the trigger system. The best results correspond to the case when the jitter in triggering does not exceed of 3 ns.

Highlights

Since the end of 1980s, considerable interest has been generated in a high-current switching device based on a low-pressure discharge with hollow cathode.1–3 In the first publications, this device has been referred to as pseudospark switch.1 The design of the switch and the principle of its operation in large measure similar to that of the classical hydrogen thyratron.4 in distinction to the classical thyratron, this device uses the cold cathode
We present the results of the investigations of the discharge in the modernized version of the cold-cathode thyratron TPI1-10k/50 as applied to the problem of nanosecond triggering
The newly developed trigger unit of the thyratron is based on the low-current auxiliary glow discharge with hollow cathode and hollow anode

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Since the end of 1980s, considerable interest has been generated in a high-current switching device based on a low-pressure discharge with hollow cathode. In the first publications, this device has been referred to as pseudospark switch. The design of the switch and the principle of its operation in large measure similar to that of the classical hydrogen thyratron. in distinction to the classical thyratron, this device uses the cold cathode. Since the end of 1980s, considerable interest has been generated in a high-current switching device based on a low-pressure discharge with hollow cathode.. The switch typically operates in the electric circuit where the electrode, that plays a role of grid in the thyratron, is grounded. The present state of the art in the investigations of the pulsed low-pressure discharges, including the discharges in pseudospark switches as applied to the problem of obtaining an extreme UV radiation, is demonstrated in Refs. The switch design typically includes in itself a main electrode system and a trigger unit, which is located in the grounded cathode cavity. Due to breakdown in the trigger system, the gas discharge plasma is generated in the cathode cavity, and the switch is triggered that is a high-current discharge arises between the main anode of the device and the grounded cathode. This paper is directed towards the further investigations of the thyratron and on development of methods that allow the nanosecond stability in the thyratron triggering

DESIGN OF THE THYRATRON WITH A NOVEL TRIGGER UNIT AND FEATURES OF OPERATION

METHODS

CONCLUSION