High-power pseudospark and BLT switches

A review is presented of recent developments in a new group of high-power hollow-electrode switches, including the pseudospark and the backlighted thyratron (BLT). Experiments demonstrate that for several key high-power switching performance factors, the pseudospark and BLT switches are superior to either high-pressure spark gap switches or thyratrons or, in some cases, both. High performance has been demonstrated in peak current (>100 kA), current rate of rise (>10/sup 12/ A/s), switching precision, trigger efficiency, current reversal (100%), and recovery time. Several electrical and optical trigger methods have been demonstrated and are described.>