According to one embodiment, a switch device includes a container configured to house a gas, a cathode located in the container, a first anode located in the container, and a second anode located in the container. A second direction from the cathode toward the second anode crosses a first direction from the cathode toward the first anode. A second distance between the cathode and the second anode is greater than a first distance between the cathode and the first anode.

According to one embodiment, a switch device includes a container configured to house a gas, a cathode located in the container, a first anode located in the container, and a second anode located in the container. A second direction from the cathode toward the second anode crosses a first direction from the cathode toward the first anode. A second distance between the cathode and the second anode is greater than a first distance between the cathode and the first anode.

A high voltage gas switch includes a gas-tight housing containing an ionizable gas at a preselected gas pressure. The gas switch includes a gas-tight housing containing an ionizable gas at a gas pressure selected based upon a Paschen curve for the ionizable gas, where the Paschen curve plots breakdown voltages of the ionizable gas as a function of gas pressure multiplied by grid-to-anode distance, and where values of gas pressure multiplied by grid-to-anode distance increase over at least a portion of the Paschen curve in conjunction with increasing breakdown voltages. The gas switch also includes an anode disposed within the gas-tight housing, a cathode disposed within the gas-tight housing, and a control grid positioned between the anode and the cathode, where the control grid is spaced apart from the anode by a grid-to-anode distance selected based upon a desired operating voltage.

A high voltage gas switch includes a gas-tight housing containing an ionizable gas at a preselected gas pressure. The gas switch includes a gas-tight housing containing an ionizable gas at a gas pressure selected based upon a Paschen curve for the ionizable gas, where the Paschen curve plots breakdown voltages of the ionizable gas as a function of gas pressure multiplied by grid-to-anode distance, and where values of gas pressure multiplied by grid-to-anode distance increase over at least a portion of the Paschen curve in conjunction with increasing breakdown voltages. The gas switch also includes an anode disposed within the gas-tight housing, a cathode disposed within the gas-tight housing, and a control grid positioned between the anode and the cathode, where the control grid is spaced apart from the anode by a grid-to-anode distance selected based upon a desired operating voltage.

A gas switch includes a gas-tight housing containing an ionizable gas, an anode disposed within the gas-tight housing, and a cathode disposed within the gas-tight housing, where the cathode includes a conduction surface. The gas switch also includes a control grid positioned between the anode and the cathode, where the control grid is arranged to receive a bias voltage to establish a conducting plasma between the anode and the cathode. In addition, the gas switch includes a plurality of magnets selectively arranged to generate a magnetic field proximate the conduction surface that reduces the kinetic energy of charged particles striking the conduction surface and raises the conduction current density at the cathode surface to technically useful levels.

A gas switch includes a gas-tight housing containing an ionizable gas, an anode disposed within the gas-tight housing, and a cathode disposed within the gas-tight housing, where the cathode includes a conduction surface. The gas switch also includes a control grid positioned between the anode and the cathode, where the control grid is arranged to receive a bias voltage to establish a conducting plasma between the anode and the cathode. In addition, the gas switch includes a plurality of magnets selectively arranged to generate a magnetic field proximate the conduction surface that reduces the kinetic energy of charged particles striking the conduction surface and raises the conduction current density at the cathode surface to technically useful levels.

A gas switch includes a gas-tight housing containing an ionizable gas, an anode disposed within the gas-tight housing, and a cathode disposed within the gas-tight housing, where the cathode includes a conduction surface. The gas switch also includes a control grid positioned between the anode and the cathode, where the control grid is arranged to receive a bias voltage to establish a conducting plasma between the anode and the cathode. In addition, the gas switch includes a plurality of magnets selectively arranged to generate a magnetic field proximate the conduction surface that reduces the kinetic energy of charged particles striking the conduction surface and raises the conduction current density at the cathode surface to technically useful levels.

A gas switch includes a gas-tight housing containing an ionizable gas, an anode disposed within the gas-tight housing, and a cathode disposed within the gas-tight housing, where the cathode includes a conduction surface. The gas switch also includes a control grid positioned between the anode and the cathode, where the control grid is arranged to receive a bias voltage to establish a conducting plasma between the anode and the cathode. In addition, the gas switch includes a plurality of magnets selectively arranged to generate a magnetic field proximate the conduction surface that reduces the kinetic energy of charged particles striking the conduction surface and raises the conduction current density at the cathode surface to technically useful levels.

A high voltage gas switch includes a gas-tight housing containing an ionizable gas at a preselected gas pressure. The gas switch includes a gas-tight housing containing an ionizable gas at a gas pressure selected based upon a Paschen curve for the ionizable gas, where the Paschen curve plots breakdown voltages of the ionizable gas as a function of gas pressure multiplied by grid-to-anode distance, and where values of gas pressure multiplied by grid-to-anode distance increase over at least a portion of the Paschen curve in conjunction with increasing breakdown voltages. The gas switch also includes an anode disposed within the gas-tight housing, a cathode disposed within the gas-tight housing, and a control grid positioned between the anode and the cathode, where the control grid is spaced apart from the anode by a grid-to-anode distance selected based upon a desired operating voltage.

A system for generating infrared light includes a sealed housing and a noble gas filling the housing. A window disposed in a wall of the housing is transparent to infrared radiation. Two electrodes, disposed in the housing, are aligned along a common longitudinal axis adapted to be approximately perpendicular to a local force of gravity. A gap is defined between the electrodes along the longitudinal axis. Obstruction(s), disposed in the housing adjacent to the gap between the electrodes, extend along the length of the gap. The obstruction(s) define a convection space between the electrodes. The convection space has a dimension, measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, in the range of 2 to 10 times the length of the gap. An electric current source is coupled to the electrodes.