Power converter, method of power conversion, and switching device

A method for power conversion, comprising:

• (I) providing a power converter comprising at least one switching device, wherein the switching device comprises:
• (i) a chamber comprising an ionizable gas;
• (ii) a cathode and an anode defining a discharge gap disposed in the chamber;
• (iii) a switching electrode disposed between the cathode and anode;
• (iv) a magnet assembly configured to generate a first magnetic field such that a plasma is maintained in the discharge gap;
• and
• (v) an electromagnet;
• (II) generating an electric field and a first magnetic field in the discharge gap to initiate and maintain a plasma in the discharge gap;
• (III) applying an activation signal to the switching electrode to initiate a plasma current flow from the cathode to the anode, and to activate the switching device;
• (IV) applying a deactivation signal to the electromagnet to generate a second magnetic field such that at least a portion of the plasma in the discharge gap is disrupted to deactivate the switching device;
• and
• (V) converting an input parameter to an output parameter in the power converter by periodically activating and deactivating the switching device.

A switching device, comprising:

• (i) a chamber comprising an ionizable gas;
• (ii) a cathode and an anode defining a discharge gap disposed in the chamber;
• (iii) a first electromagnetic coil configured to generate a first magnetic field such that a plasma is maintained in the discharge gap;
• and
• (iv) a second electromagnetic coil configured to generate, in response to a deactivation signal, a second magnetic field such that at least a portion of the plasma in the discharge gap is disrupted to deactivate the switching device;
• wherein the first electromagnetic coil and the second electromagnetic coil are configured in an arrangement such that an electric current received at the second coil has a direction opposite to that of an electric current received at the first coil.