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A modular double gap pseudospark discharge based switch has been recently designed and developed for various pulsed power applications. The modular pseudospark geometry has two gaps that are separated by a cavity drift space region. It employs a single trigger unit in the cathode region to initiate discharge for the rapid breakdown of both the gaps. Successful experiments for the double gap pseudospark with typical coaxial arrangement of multichannel discharges were performed. The peak discharge currents at breakdown voltage of about 40 kV were 5 and 10 kA through resistive loads of 5.25 and 2.7 Ω, respectively. The design of the double gap pseudospark along with switching results is presented in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is difficult to predict or measure the breakdown strength of SF6 gas in the high pressure range. Therefore, it is hard to find reference data of the high pressure SF6 gas breakdown strength. This paper attempts to provide empirically a novel criterion for the estimation of SF6 gas breakdown strength in a spark gap switch. For this purpose, J.C. Martin's breakdown field strength of non-uniform gap in air and Kuffel et al's breakdown field strength by exploiting streamer criterion of uniform field in SF6 gas are adopted. The research is made for the empirical method of predicting the high pressure SF6 breakdown strength and compared results have been ascertained with several experimental data from different investigators in a wide range of pd (pressure times distance) and field enhancement factor (FEF). For further confirmation of the empirical approach, we have designed and developed a high pressure spark gap switch to be closely coupled to a high voltage PFN-Marx system. The designed spark gap switch operates above 1 MV. Our tests have verified the prediction of the breakdown strength of the SF6 filled spark gap switch in a pd range of 0.27-1.62 MPa . cm (2.7 to 16.2 bar.cm). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]