Viable options for reducing impedance in a 2.5 MV multichanneling, multigap, SF6 Gas switch

An investigation was conducted into factors that effect impedance for a 2.5 MV gas switch. The switch studied was Rimfire, the workhorse gas switch topology for many of Sandia's large accelerators. The geometry of the switch investigated consists of multiple self-break gaps in series with a laser triggered main gap. The switch is situated within a coaxial-like ground return structure. In this geometry there are three avenues that are theoretically possible for reducing switch impedance. They are 1) increasing the number of parallel current sharing channels (multichanneling), 2) decreasing the ratio of radii of the outer to inner conductors, and/or 3) decreasing the length. It was experimentally determined what effects the first two factors have on switch impedance and the results are presented in this work. It was discovered that multichanneling and radii ratio have substantially lesser effects on impedance, when compared to the theoretical effects of a reduction in switch length. This leaves reduction in length as the only remaining significant viable option for reduction of impedance in megavolt multigap switches, which has substantial consequences for the future design of multigap switches.