Flash-lamp-triggered high-power thyratron-type switch
- 22 February 1988
- journal article
- Published by AIP Publishing in Applied Physics Letters
- Vol. 52 (8) , 613-615
- https://doi.org/10.1063/1.99381
Abstract
Extremely high cold cathode emission and a plasma current density that is much higher than commercial glow discharge hot cathode switches have been obtained in a flash‐triggered hollow cathode thyratron‐type switch that operates in a glow mode. The cold cathode emission is higher by several orders of magnitude than emission from thermionic cathodes in high‐power hydrogen thyratrons, without arc formation. Peak current >17 kA, dI/dt>3×1011 A/s, and power gain >1400 are observed. The switch has been successfully operated as a thyratron substitute in a commercial XeCl excimer laser. The work demonstrates a new approach to thyratron‐type switches, and a wide range of technologically useful physical processes that are poorly understood.Keywords
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