Sealed-off pseudospark switches for pulsed power

Two novel trigger systems have been developed for use in high-power 'sealed-of' pseudospark switch (PSS) devices. In principle, both systems are based on surface discharges, using semiconductors or high dielectric materials. The latter produces an electron beam which allows to operate the trigger in vacuum, too. Lifetime is the key question for any successful application. Large efforts have been done to improve lifetime by replacement of refractory metal electrodes by semiconductor (SiC) electrodes. In a different approach, multichannel configurations were studied and first prototype of a radial multi-channel switch were tested with a real load.