Switching Properties of Eptron—the Nanosecond Sharpener Based on the Combination of Open and Capillary Discharges

Resumo

The switching properties of a new gas-discharge sharpener that consists of “open” and “capillary” discharges serially connected in bulk are studied. Switching times of less than 1 ns have been attained in helium in a wide range of conditions, for discharge delay times exceeding 600 ns with an initial pulse compression degree of about 10³. An average power of about 10 kW has been implemented in the pulse train mode at a voltage of 20 kV and a pulse frequency of 44 kHz.