US 4,394,622 AGranted

High voltage coaxial switch

OwnerJohn P. Rinkinventor

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Abstract

A coaxial high voltage, high current switch having a solid cylindrical cold cathode coaxially surrounded by a thin hollow cylindrical inner electrode and a larger hollow cylindrical outer electrode. A high voltage trigger between the cathode and the inner electrode causes electrons to be emitted from the cathode and flow to the inner electrode preferably through a vacuum. Some of the electrons penetrate the inner electrode and cause a volumetric discharge in the gas (which may be merely air) between the inner and outer electrodes. The discharge provides a low impedance path between a high voltage charge placed on the outer electrode and a load (which may be a high power laser) coupled to the inner electrode. For high repetition rate the gas between the inner and outer electrodes may be continuously exchanged or refreshed under pressure.

Claims12

Dependent claims

A high voltage coaxial switch comprising:

a circular cross-sectioned cylindrical cathode;
a thin walled hollow circular cross-sectional cylindrical inner electrode coaxially surrounding said cathode;
a hollow circular cross-sectional cylindrical outer electrode coaxially surrounding said inner electrode;
means for facilitating evacuation of the region between said cathode and said inner electrode;
means for facilitating provision of a gas to the region between said inner electrode and said outer electrode;
means for providing a high voltage charge to said outer electrode;
means for connecting a load to said inner electrode;
and
means for providing a high voltage pulse between said cathode and said inner electrode to cause electrons to be emitted from said cathode and accelerated toward said inner electrode with sufficient quantities of electrons passing therethrough to cause secondary electron emission and a volumetric discharge in the region between said inner electrode and said outer electrode whereby a high voltage charge on said outer electrode is discharged to said inner electrode and through a load connected thereto.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.