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.

A fuse-less ignition system for fireworks. An ignitor module is provided that is insertable into a firework and includes: a first end having an interface adapted to reside on an exterior surface of the firework for receiving a plug; a set of electrical contacts adapted to receive electricity from the plug; a heat element coupled to the electrical contacts and adapted to heat in response to received electricity; and a cavity adjacent to the heat element containing a pyrotechnic material, the pyrotechnic material adapted to ignite in response to a heating of the heat element.

A fuse-less ignition system for fireworks. An ignitor module is provided that is insertable into a firework and includes: a first end having an interface adapted to reside on an exterior surface of the firework for receiving a plug; a set of electrical contacts adapted to receive electricity from the plug; a heat element coupled to the electrical contacts and adapted to heat in response to received electricity; and a cavity adjacent to the heat element containing a pyrotechnic material, the pyrotechnic material adapted to ignite in response to a heating of the heat element.

A spark gap arrangement comprises a triggerable spark gap (TF) and a trigger circuit (TRG), which comprises a first and a second charge store (C1, C2), a first resistor (R1), a triggerable dissipation element (SF, SF3, TD, TH) and a transformer (T1). The trigger circuit is set up to intermediately store the energy of an input pulse supplied to the input side of the trigger circuit (TRG), wherein storage takes place at least by means of the first charge store (C1). A part of the stored energy is transferred to the second charge store (C2) via the first resistor (R1). The triggerable dissipation element (SF, TD, TH) is set up to turn on on the basis of a voltage across the second charge store (C2) and to discharge the first charge store (C1) via a primary side (T11) of the transformer (T1). In this case, a secondary side (T12) of the transformer (T1) is connected to a main electrode (HE) of the triggerable spark gap (TF) and to a trigger electrode (TE) of the triggerable spark gap (TF).

A spark gap arrangement comprises a triggerable spark gap (TF) and a trigger circuit (TRG), which comprises a first and a second charge store (C1, C2), a first resistor (R1), a triggerable dissipation element (SF, SF3, TD, TH) and a transformer (T1). The trigger circuit is set up to intermediately store the energy of an input pulse supplied to the input side of the trigger circuit (TRG), wherein storage takes place at least by means of the first charge store (C1). A part of the stored energy is transferred to the second charge store (C2) via the first resistor (R1). The triggerable dissipation element (SF, TD, TH) is set up to turn on on the basis of a voltage across the second charge store (C2) and to discharge the first charge store (C1) via a primary side (T11) of the transformer (T1). In this case, a secondary side (T12) of the transformer (T1) is connected to a main electrode (HE) of the triggerable spark gap (TF) and to a trigger electrode (TE) of the triggerable spark gap (TF).

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.

A fuse-less ignition system for fireworks. An ignitor module is provided that is insertable into a firework and includes: a first end having an interface adapted to reside on an exterior surface of the firework for receiving a plug; a set of electrical contacts adapted to receive electricity from the plug; a heat element coupled to the electrical contacts and adapted to heat in response to received electricity; and a cavity adjacent to the heat element containing a pyrotechnic material, the pyrotechnic material adapted to ignite in response to a heating of the heat element.

A fuse-less ignition system for fireworks. An ignitor module is provided that is insertable into a firework and includes: a first end having an interface adapted to reside on an exterior surface of the firework for receiving a plug; a set of electrical contacts adapted to receive electricity from the plug; a heat element coupled to the electrical contacts and adapted to heat in response to received electricity; and a cavity adjacent to the heat element containing a pyrotechnic material, the pyrotechnic material adapted to ignite in response to a heating of the heat element.