A gas switch includes an anode and a cathode spaced apart from the anode, wherein the cathode includes a conduction surface. The gas switch also includes a plurality of magnets arranged to generate a magnetic field that defines an annular path over a portion of the conduction surface at a radial distance from a switch axis, and a control grid positioned between the anode and the cathode. In operation, the control grid is arranged to establish a conducting plasma between the anode and the cathode, wherein, in the presence of the conducting plasma, a voltage drop between the anode and the cathode is less than 150 volts, and wherein the conducting plasma forms a cathode spot that circles the annular path.

A gas switch includes an anode and a cathode spaced apart from the anode, wherein the cathode includes a conduction surface. The gas switch also includes a plurality of magnets arranged to generate a magnetic field that defines an annular path over a portion of the conduction surface at a radial distance from a switch axis, and a control grid positioned between the anode and the cathode. In operation, the control grid is arranged to establish a conducting plasma between the anode and the cathode, wherein, in the presence of the conducting plasma, a voltage drop between the anode and the cathode is less than 150 volts, and wherein the conducting plasma forms a cathode spot that circles the annular path.

Glass sealed gas discharge tubes. In some embodiments, a gas discharge tube (GDT) can include an insulator substrate having first and second sides and defining an opening. The GDT can further include a first electrode implemented to cover the opening on the first side of the insulator substrate, and a second electrode implemented to cover the opening on the second side of the insulator substrate. The GDT can further include a first glass seal implemented between the first electrode and the first side of the insulator substrate, and a second glass seal implemented between the second electrode and the second side of the insulator substrate, such that the first and second glass seals provide a hermetic seal for a chamber defined by the opening and the first and second electrodes.

Glass sealed gas discharge tubes. In some embodiments, a gas discharge tube (GDT) can include an insulator substrate having first and second sides and defining an opening. The GDT can further include a first electrode implemented to cover the opening on the first side of the insulator substrate, and a second electrode implemented to cover the opening on the second side of the insulator substrate. The GDT can further include a first glass seal implemented between the first electrode and the first side of the insulator substrate, and a second glass seal implemented between the second electrode and the second side of the insulator substrate, such that the first and second glass seals provide a hermetic seal for a chamber defined by the opening and the first and second electrodes.