±100 kV three-electrode field-distortion gas spark switch

A three-electrode field-distortion gas spark switch used for linear transformer drivers is developed. The switch is insulated with SF ₆. The size and inductance of the switch is small, and the inductance is experimentally estimated at about 67 nH. When the switch operates at ±80 kV charge voltage and 70% working ratio, the delay and jitter are 40.0 ns and 2.8 ns respectively. The influences of the electrode material on the self-breakdown and trigger characteristics are experimentally studied. The results indicate that the switch of CuW electrode has a smaller deviation of self-breakdown voltage, smaller delay and jitter, lower prefire probability and less electrode erosion than that of copper electrode. Compared with copper material, CuW material may be more suitable for three-electrode field-distortion gas switch.