Numerical model of a unit gap of LTD switch

Abstract

The LTD generators are a promising direction in the development of pulse power. One of the features of LTD generators are the direct output of submicrosecond pulse, which requires the simultaneously triggering of a large number of switches. To simulate an LTD generator in order to study the possibility of optimizing the triggering system, a spark gap model is required that considers the dependence of the operation delay time on the parameters of the trigger pulse. For this developed model of the LTD switch, in which the moment of breakdown of each gap is calculated individually using an integral criterion. The performance of the model is confirmed by one value of air pressure in the switch and one value of triggering voltage rise rate. The rise rate of triggering pulse at the trigger electrode of the LTD switch depends on the triggering circuit of the LTD generator. To study various trigger systems that require the ability to apply the integral criterion at a different rise rate of the trigger pulse. In addition, various pressure in the switches in different LTD generators is possible. In this paper, we confirm the possibility of using an integral criterion to determine the breakdown time of the gap of LTD switch for voltage rise rates from 1.5 to 3.5 kV/ns and air changes in the switches from 3.5 to 4.0 atm. In this case, the dependence of the value of the integral criterion on the rate of increase in voltage and air pressure can be neglected.