Parallel Operation of Four Spark Gaps in a Pulser System

Spark gaps are widely used switches for the development of high power pulser systems because of their simplicity and fast switching capability. We have already developed a pulser system using a single microplasma-assisted spark gap to generate short electrical pulses at the load with a repetition rate of 1 MHz. The single spark gap pulser system undergoes a few drawbacks such as low breakdown voltage and charging efficiency etc. The breakthrough of this problem is achieved by a parallel operation of two similar spark gaps in the pulser system by reducing the repetition rate, thereby increasing the voltage recovery of each spark gap. The operation of the pulser system with optimized charging circuit and spark gap parameters exhibited improved breakdown voltage and charging efficiency. Finally, the pulser system is extended for the parallel operation of four spark gaps system.