Numerical Simulation of Voltage Applied to the Gaps of a Planar Multi-Gap Multi-Channel Gas Switch

In the linear transformer driver (LTD) technology, the low inductance energy storage components and switches are directly incorporated into the individual cavities (named stages) to generate a fast output voltage pulse, which is added along a vacuum coaxial line like in an inductive voltage adder. To provide the theoretical foundation for structure design and ensure the reliable operation of the planar multi-gap multi-channel gas switches, numerical simulation of voltage applied to the gaps is carried out, taken into account a variety of factors such as working coefficient, triggering voltage, resistance of crosswise resistors, and coupling capacitance. Based on the theoretical analysis of development and maintenance of parallel discharge channels, simulation of voltage applied to the gaps was performed in PSpice program. The results of simulation show that high working coefficient, high triggering voltage, high resistance of crosswise resistors and high coupling capacitance are all beneficial to the increase of the voltage applied to the gaps.