Some Considerations of the Pulse Power Switch Centered on Thyristor Device

Abstract

For high energy short pulse discharge applications, like electromagnetic launchers or magnetic forming, mostly the thyristor technology is used. The presented thyristor switch assemblies using 125 mm wafer size are made to switch 62.4MJ stored energy into a load in very short time. The maximum transient peak current of 26 kilo-amperes peak for 20 ms with convection water and air cooling. For this presentation we concentrate on the Thyristor technology as this offer the highest current capability but are not in the position to switch-off any current. Some measures must be used to the pulse switch centered on Thyristor device, i.e., proper selection of the static and dynamic parameters of the thyristor, enough power for triggering the device, and efficient cooling of the device, which can make it possible to produce devices with high blocking voltage combined with very high current handling.