Optimizing design of sub-nanosecond gas switch with adjustable gap

The structure of the sub-nanosecond gas switch with adjustable gap used on the UWB-1 system are optimized. During commissioning, the optimized rotary knob can adjust the gaps easily and measure gap size accurately. The static electric-field distributions at insulators and electrodes of the switch are simulated. The maximal static electric-field strength at the optimized insulator is 126.6 kV/mm, which is under theory breakdown field strength and satisfies insulation requirement. High voltage experiments are conducted on the switch. The results show that no breakdown happens at the insulators, and the switch can work steadily and output shorter pulses with steeper rise and fall edges. When the system works at 5 Hz repetition rate, rise time, fall time and pulse width of the output pulse dec