Repetitive Electron Beam Controlled Switching

Abstract

Previous investigators have demonstrated the feasibility of using an ionizing electron beam to control the conductivity of a gaseous, volume-discharge switch. We have considered the possibility of using such switches repetitively at high power levels (up to 10 to the 10th power W), with switch opening and closing times as short as several nanoseconds. An analysis of the relevent gas chemistry has indicated that these requirements can best be met by using a non-electronegative base gas diluted with a small percentage of an electronegative gas. Detailed chemistry simulations, using the non-electronegative gas N2 and the electronegative gas Osub2, have been performed and will be presented to support this analysis. Also discussed will be the limitations imposed by switch heating and gas breakdown.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 1979
Accession Number
ADA636630

Entities

People

  • D. Conte
  • I. M. Vitkovitsky
  • Richard F. Fernsler

Organizations

  • United States Naval Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Amplifiers
  • Attachment
  • Chemistry
  • Current Amplifiers
  • Current Density
  • Efficiency
  • Electrical Properties
  • Electron Beams
  • Electron Density
  • Electrons
  • Energy
  • Energy Transfer
  • High Pressure
  • Military Research
  • Pulsed Power
  • Switches
  • Switching

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Electrical Engineering
  • Plasma Physics.
  • Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy
  • Microelectronics
  • Microelectronics - Microelectromechanical Systems