Improvement of self-breakdown characteristic of multi-gap switch used for fast linear transformer driver

When the gas switch discharges in the FLTD, the self-breakdown characteristic turns worse compared to individually discharging. To solve the problem, the electric field distribution of the switch which is influenced by the cable and the FLTD module is simulated and computed. The main reasons for the decline of the switch self-breakdown characteristic are analyzed. The experiments of both corona needle for voltage-balance and resistance for equalization are individually developed. The results are obtained for different length of the corona needle and variable values of resistance. The self-breakdown voltage of the switch is separately improved by 3.2% and 4.3% for the two types of equalization. The self-breakdown voltage is improved by 8.9% and the pre-fire probability is reduced by 60%, when all of the gas switches are equipped with equalization in the FLTD stage. The stability of the FLTD output current is obviously improved. The amplitude of the output current is improved by 8.1% and the standard deviation is reduced by 30.8%.