Progress in the development of the ferratron: a novel repetitively rated triggered spark-gap switch with ultralow jitter

Jane M. Lehr; Carl E. Baum; Leland H. Bowen; Juan M. Elizondo; Donald E. Ellerbee; Everett G. Farr; William D. Prather

doi:10.1117/12.391796

14 July 2000 Progress in the development of the ferratron: a novel repetitively rated triggered spark-gap switch with ultralow jitter

Jane M. Lehr, Carl E. Baum, Leland H. Bowen, Juan M. Elizondo, Donald E. Ellerbee, Everett G. Farr, William D. Prather

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 4031, Intense Microwave Pulses VII; (2000) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.391796
Event: AeroSense 2000, 2000, Orlando, FL, United States

Abstract

Low jitter, triggered spark gap switches are highly desirable components for a wide variety of High Power Microwave applications. In particular, this switch enables a wide range of new applications ranging from protection circuitry to high power transient arrays that are currently technically infeasible with the considerable jitter associated with high power switches. The device presently under advanced development is a novel triggering scheme using a ferroelectric ceramic as the electron source coupled with a high gas flow rate which allows reliable triggering at low trigger voltages, even at high repetition rates. The switch chamber is tailored to reduce field stresses and provide a low inductance current path with a very compact geometry. The high gas flow rate allows the replacement of the gas in the discharge region within the time scale necessary to sustain the required repetition rates of up to 1000 Hz.

Citation Download Citation

Jane M. Lehr, Carl E. Baum, Leland H. Bowen, Juan M. Elizondo, Donald E. Ellerbee, Everett G. Farr, and William D. Prather "Progress in the development of the ferratron: a novel repetitively rated triggered spark-gap switch with ultralow jitter", Proc. SPIE 4031, Intense Microwave Pulses VII, (14 July 2000); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.391796

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available