Triggerable Spark Gap, Switching Circuit Having a Triggerable Spark Gap, and Process for Manufacturing a Triggerable Spark Gap

A triggerable spark gap comprising:

• a trigger electrode;
• an adjacent electrode at the trigger electrode;
• a counter electrode;
• and
• a gap between the counter electrode and the adjacent electrode,
• wherein a distance between the trigger electrode and the adjacent electrode is less than a distance between the trigger electrode and the counter electrode,
• wherein the distance between the trigger electrode and the counter electrode is less than a distance between the adjacent electrode and the counter electrode,
• wherein the counter electrode and/or the adjacent electrode comprises a first phase comprising a first material and a second phase comprising a second material, and
• wherein the second material has a lower electron work function than the first material.

A method for producing a triggerable spark gap, the method comprising:

• providing a trigger electrode and materials for an adjacent electrode and/or a counter electrode;
• providing a first material;
• providing a second material having a lower electron work function than the first material;
• and
• forming the adjacent electrode and/or the counter electrode by coating the first material with the second material.