Matrix-stages solid state ultrafast switch

A high voltage circuit comprising:

• an energy storage device;
• a load;
• a power supply coupled across the energy storage device;
• and
• a semiconductor switching device for coupling the energy storage device across the load, the semiconductor switching device comprising:
• a control-triggered stage comprising:
• one or more semiconductor switches connected in parallel, each semiconductor switch comprising a switch input, a switch output, and a control input;
• a breakover switch comprising an input and an output, the input of the breakover switch coupled to the switch input of each semiconductor switch, the output of the breakover switch coupled to the control input of each semiconductor switch;
• and
• a control switch connected across the breakover switch;
• one or more auto-triggered stages connected in series, each auto-triggered stage comprising:
• one or more semiconductor switches connected in parallel, each semiconductor switch of each auto-triggered stage comprising a switch input, a switch output, and a control input;
• and
• a breakover switch comprising an input and an output, the input of the breakover switch of the each auto-triggered stage coupled to the switch input of each semiconductor switch of the each auto-triggered stage, the output of the breakover switch of the each auto-triggered stage coupled to the control input of each semiconductor switch of the each auto-triggered stage,
• wherein the control-triggered stage is connected in series with the one or more auto-triggered stages.