Triggered gas switch with a sharply non-uniform electric field at the electrode with negative potential

The paper presents the results of studies for two triggered high-pressure gas switches intended for pulse-periodic capacitive storages with the stored energy level of about 100–1000 J. The operating voltage of the first switch is up to 50 kV, for the second switch is over 200 kV. A feature for both switches is a configuration with a sharply non-uniform field at the electrode with negative potential. In the charging process of a capacitive energy storage, a corona-streamer discharge occurs in the switch, the current of which increases with increasing voltage. Cathode discharge plasma shields a sharp cathode edge and local areas of inhomogeneity with increased emission and also gives a uniform flow of initiating electrons into the gap of the switch. As a result, conditions in the discharge gap vary slightly from pulse to pulse. (paper)