High efficiency high voltage pulse generator with fast recovery pseudospark switches

Experiments are reported to demonstrate the ability of pseudospark switches for extremely fast recovery after forward conduction at an anode voltage of up to 25 kV and peak anode currents of one to two kiloamps. At a pulse duration of around 5 /spl mu/s, the reverse current is blocked at the end of the first pulse, at a rate of current rise of up to 1 kA//spl mu/s. The rate of rise of anode voltage after current zero is well above 30 kV//spl mu/s; the recovery time of the switch is below 1 /spl mu/s. Initial experiments towards reprate applications were successful in a burst mode operation, at a circuit-limited pulse repetition rate of up to 96 pps.