High Repetition Rate Miniature Triggered Spark Switch

A miniature triggered spark switch designed to operate at high repetition rates has been constructed. The device, along with associated triggered circuitry, has been incorporated into a simple LC generator which produces an oscillatory discharge at a frequency of 150 MHz. The switch is operated in the pressure range 760 torr-2.6 × 103 torr using commercial dry nitrogen as the working gas. Both brass (70/30) and aluminum (99.95 percent) electrodes were investigated for repetition frequencies as high as 20 kHz and for gas flow rates as high as 8 cm3/s. The effect of repetition rate on switch jitter and switch breakdown voltage is presented and discussed in terms of gas pressure and flow rate.