Research and development of pseudospark switch drivers

Abstract

The pseudospark (thyratrons TPI- and TDI-type) switch drivers design and applications in various pulsed power systems are presented. Drivers are constructed using modern IGBT transistors and triggered compact spark gaps, and feature both manual and remote digital control (CAN, Ethernet). TDI-thyratrons can serve as a replacement for ignitron, spark gap and triggered vacuum switches. The TDI drivers are made with multiple outputs for triggering up to 4 thyratrons in parallel or with HV isolated output for applications where the igniter and hydrogen reservoir of the thyratron are under high (transient) voltages. TPI-thyratrons were designed recently however, we have extensive experience in application and the methods of triggering/controlling of these switches. The trigger unit is a simple relaxation oscillator with DC and Pulsed Preionization, including single, double and triple pulse triggering techniques. In particular it is shown that when the requirement for a driver is to provide minimum time jitter (less 0.5ns), high anode current pulse stability and extended lifetime, the best option is triple-pulse triggering. Circuit design for trigger drivers BZ-TP/10 for TPI-thyratrons, optimized for the operation of the particle accelerator LIU-2 are described.