A Pseudospark Gap in the Inductive-Energy-Storage Circuit

A pseudospark gap is described that is capable of interrupting a current of up to 1 kA and shaping voltage pulses with an amplitude of up to 110 kV and rise time of 100 ns. Analytical expressions for calculating the energy released in the device at the switching-off stage and the efficiency of the generator with an inductive energy storage system are obtained. The characteristics of the pseudospark gap and of a similar-design thyratron connected in the same circuit are compared. It is found that the turn-off time of the pseudospark gap is shorter than that of the thyratron by a factor of 2.5.