High Coulomb and high current gas spark switch

A two-electrode gas spark switch is designed. It has been built for high current, large charge transfers, slight electrode erosion and long lifetime. The switch operates without a trigger electrode, reducing losses by eliminating two arc/electrode contacts. The uniform erosion of graphite minimizes pitting and roughening of the electrodes. The switch is expected to discharge a 23 kV, 1.2 MJ bank with the peak current of 300 kA and charge transfer of 110 C per pulse on a single shot. In the elementary experimental study, the switch operates at a voltage of 15 kV with reliable performance for triggering and uniform electorde erosion.