High voltage, cross-field, gas switch and method of operation

A high voltage gas switch comprising:

• a gas-tight housing containing an ionizable gas at a gas pressure in the range of 0.01-1.0 torr, the gas pressure selected based upon a Paschen curve for the ionizable gas, wherein the Paschen curve plots breakdown voltages of the ionizable gas as a function of gas pressure multiplied by a grid-to-anode distance, wherein values of gas pressure multiplied by grid-to-anode distance increase over at least a portion of the Paschen curve in conjunction with increasing breakdown voltages, and wherein values of gas pressure multiplied by grid-to-anode distance increase over a portion of the Paschen curve beyond a threshold breakdown voltage;
• an anode disposed within said gas-tight housing;
• a cathode disposed within said gas-tight housing;
• and
• a control grid positioned between said anode and said cathode, said control grid spaced apart from said anode by the grid-to-anode distance in the range of 2-15 centimeters (cm), the grid-to-anode distance selected based upon a desired operating voltage.