Integrated spark gap device

An explosive apparatus comprising:

• a spark gap device, the spark gap device comprising:
• an integrated circuit (IC), the IC comprising:
• a substrate;
• a cathode element disposed on the substrate, the cathode element comprising a conductive material;
• and
• an anode element disposed on the substrate electrically isolated from the cathode element, the anode element comprising a conductive material;
• a capacitor capable of storing a large electrical charge;
• and
• a trigger capable of being actuated;
• a dielectric layer covering at least portions of each of the cathode element, the anode element, the trigger electrode, and the spark gap, wherein when the trigger electrode is actuated, an electrical current passes through the trigger electrode causing at least partial vaporization of the trigger electrode, said at least partial vaporization of the trigger electrode causing a plasma gas to be released that moves a portion of said dielectric layer away from the spark gap to allow ions to flow across the spark gap between the cathode element and the anode element;
• and
• an explosive material that is detonated when the trigger is actuated.

A method for generating a spark, the method comprising:

• integrally forming a high-voltage switch on a substrate of an integrated circuit, the high-voltage switch comprising an anode element disposed on the substrate and a cathode element disposed on the substrate, the anode and cathode elements being electrically isolated from each other and separated from each other by a spark gap;
• integrally forming an explosive device of the substrate, the explosive device comprising an anode element, a cathode element and a conductive bridge element that connects the anode and cathode elements of the explosive device together;
• and
• triggering the high-voltage switch to cause a spark to be created in the spark gap, wherein when the spark is created in the spark gap, current flows through the conductive bridge of the explosive device thereby causing the explosive device to detonate.