High voltage high power pulsed power switches relating to a laser triggered multi-stage vacuum switch. The laser triggered multi-stage vacuum switch has laser triggered vacuum gap, multi-stage self-breakdown vacuum gaps and trigger system. Multi-stage self-breakdown vacuum gaps are fixed on the top of laser triggered vacuum gap by connector. The grading ring is sheathed outside of upper insulation shell. By adopting the series connected laser triggered vacuum gap and multi-stage self-breakdown vacuum gaps, with the synergy of two type vacuum gaps, application of laser triggered multi-stage vacuum switch in the high voltage, high power, high repetitive frequency pulsed power system can be realized. With multiple laser beams shot onto multiple targets, more initial plasma can be generated as the irradiation area of laser on target surfaces is enlarged, and the trigger performances of laser triggered multi-stage vacuum switch can be enhanced.

High voltage high power pulsed power switches relating to a laser triggered multi-stage vacuum switch. The laser triggered multi-stage vacuum switch has laser triggered vacuum gap, multi-stage self-breakdown vacuum gaps and trigger system. Multi-stage self-breakdown vacuum gaps are fixed on the top of laser triggered vacuum gap by connector. The grading ring is sheathed outside of upper insulation shell. By adopting the series connected laser triggered vacuum gap and multi-stage self-breakdown vacuum gaps, with the synergy of two type vacuum gaps, application of laser triggered multi-stage vacuum switch in the high voltage, high power, high repetitive frequency pulsed power system can be realized. With multiple laser beams shot onto multiple targets, more initial plasma can be generated as the irradiation area of laser on target surfaces is enlarged, and the trigger performances of laser triggered multi-stage vacuum switch can be enhanced.

High voltage high power pulsed power switches relating to a laser triggered multi-stage vacuum switch. The laser triggered multi-stage vacuum switch has laser triggered vacuum gap, multi-stage self-breakdown vacuum gaps and trigger system. Multi-stage self-breakdown vacuum gaps are fixed on the top of laser triggered vacuum gap by connector. The grading ring is sheathed outside of upper insulation shell. By adopting the series connected laser triggered vacuum gap and multi-stage self-breakdown vacuum gaps, with the synergy of two type vacuum gaps, application of laser triggered multi-stage vacuum switch in the high voltage, high power, high repetitive frequency pulsed power system can be realized. With multiple laser beams shot onto multiple targets, more initial plasma can be generated as the irradiation area of laser on target surfaces is enlarged, and the trigger performances of laser triggered multi-stage vacuum switch can be enhanced.

High voltage high power pulsed power switches relating to a laser triggered multi-stage vacuum switch. The laser triggered multi-stage vacuum switch has laser triggered vacuum gap, multi-stage self-breakdown vacuum gaps and trigger system. Multi-stage self-breakdown vacuum gaps are fixed on the top of laser triggered vacuum gap by connector. The grading ring is sheathed outside of upper insulation shell. By adopting the series connected laser triggered vacuum gap and multi-stage self-breakdown vacuum gaps, with the synergy of two type vacuum gaps, application of laser triggered multi-stage vacuum switch in the high voltage, high power, high repetitive frequency pulsed power system can be realized. With multiple laser beams shot onto multiple targets, more initial plasma can be generated as the irradiation area of laser on target surfaces is enlarged, and the trigger performances of laser triggered multi-stage vacuum switch can be enhanced.

An approach is disclosed for generating seed electrons at a spark gap in the absence of .sup.85Kr. The present approach utilizes the photo-electric effect, using a light source with a specific nominal wave length (or range of wavelengths) at a specific level of emitted flux to generate seed electrons.

One disclosed example provides a high-power switch circuit, comprising a cathode and an anode. One or more of the cathode and the anode comprises a three-dimensional graphene network. The high-power switch circuit further comprising a gap separating the cathode and the anode, a high-power voltage source electrically connected to the cathode and the anode, and a trigger device configured to selectively control triggering of an electrical current between the cathode and the anode.

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a spark gap device that includes a first electrode having a first surface and a second electrode having a second surface offset from and facing the first surface. The spark gap device also includes a cantilevered component coupled to the first electrode that is configured to generate a field emission, a corona discharge or both, to emit light toward at least the first surface such that photons are incident on the first surface and cause electron emission from the first surface. The spark gap device may not include a radioactive component.

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a spark gap device that includes a first electrode having a first surface and a second electrode having a second surface offset from and facing the first surface. The spark gap device also includes a light source configured to emit light toward at least the first surface such that photons emitted by the light source when the spark gap is operated are incident on the first surface and cause electron emission from the first surface. The light source includes a discharge probe having a third electrode sealed in a tube filled with an inert gas. The spark gap device may not include a radioactive component.

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a spark gap device that includes a first electrode having a first surface and a second electrode having a second surface offset from and facing the first surface. The spark gap device also includes a light source configured to emit light toward at least the first surface such that photons emitted by the light source when the spark gap is operated are incident on the first surface and cause electron emission from the first surface. The light source includes a discharge probe having a third electrode sealed in a tube filled with an inert gas. The spark gap device may not include a radioactive component.

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a spark gap device that includes a first electrode having a first surface and a second electrode having a second surface offset from and facing the first surface. The spark gap device also includes a cantilevered component coupled to the first electrode that is configured to generate a field emission, a corona discharge or both, to emit light toward at least the first surface such that photons are incident on the first surface and cause electron emission from the first surface. The spark gap device may not include a radioactive component.