Reverse switch-on dynistor switches of gigawatt-power microsecond pulses

Abstract

A high-power (150 kA and 16 kV) small switch based on an assembly of reverse switch-on dynistors (RSDs) connected in series and a coaxial saturable-core choke, which creates conditions for their efficient switching, is described. An essential feature of this switch is a drastic reduction of the duration of the control action, as a result of which minimum dimensions and a low inductance of the saturable-core choke are ensured at a high (25 kA/μs) rise rate of the switched current. Increases in the control-current amplitude and rise rate that are required for maintaining the triggering charge at a constant level are attained thanks to the use of a fast-acting switch based on new semiconductor devices—deep-level dynistors—in the RSD-control circuit.