Spark gap

Abstract

A spark gap comprising a cathode and an anode is provided. The spark gap is divided into two partial spark gaps by means of a central piece, namely a high-pressure spark gap and an effective spark gap. The effective spark gap can for example, be used to generate monochromatic x-rays. In order to guarantee a defined switching time, the high pressure spark gap which is initially switched to defined, is used. The switching initiates a potential so high on the centre piece that, when the high pressure spark gap is switched, the effective spark gap can also be switched in a defined manner without significant delays, to a visibly higher voltage.

Claims

1. A spark gap comprising: an anode and a cathode, wherein: the spark gap has a high-pressure spark gap and a useful spark gap, which are connected to one another by a central piece, the high-pressure spark gap is formed between the cathode and the central piece, wherein the high-pressure spark gap is accommodated in a first housing, wherein the first housing is filled with a working gas, the central piece is connected to the anode via a line, in which an electrical resistor is provided, and the useful spark gap is formed between the central piece and the anode, wherein the useful spark gap is accommodated in a second housing, wherein the second housing is an evacuable housing, in which a collector is also provided, and from which X-ray radiation is coupled out.

2. The spark gap as claimed in claim 1, wherein the resistor has a value of 100 to 1000 M and also has an inductance coating.

3. The spark gap as claimed in claim 2, wherein the useful spark gap is provided for generating X-ray radiation, wherein the anode is used as target for generating the X-ray radiation.

4. The spark gap as claimed in claim 1, wherein the useful spark gap is provided for generating X-ray radiation, wherein the anode is used as target for generating the X-ray radiation.

5. The spark gap as claimed in claim 4, wherein the anode is used to generate monochromatic X-ray radiation.

6. The spark gap as claimed in claim 1, wherein the anode, the central piece and the cathode are arranged coaxially to a common axis.

7. The spark gap as claimed in claim 6, wherein the anode, the central piece and the cathode are formed centrally symmetrically with respect to the common axis.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

(1) Some of the embodiments will be described in detail, with reference to the following figures, wherein like designations denote like members, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 shows, schematically, the design of an exemplary embodiment of the spark gap with an illustration of the switching operation without incorporation of the function of the collector; and

(3) FIG. 2 shows, schematically, a geometric configuration of the spark gap shown in FIG. 1 in section with an illustration of the collector.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(4) FIG. 1 shows the design of the spark gap according to embodiments of the invention. Said spark gap has an anode 11 and a cathode 12. A central piece 13 is connected between the anode 11 and the cathode 12, with the result that two spark gaps, namely a high-pressure spark gap 14 and a useful spark gap 15, are produced. In addition, the central piece 13, which acts as anode for the useful spark gap 15, is connected via a line 16 and the resistor 17 at a high resistance to the anode potential.

(5) For the high-pressure spark gap, for which a gas fill with a high pressure is used, the central piece 13 forms the cathode. Inert gases can be used as fill gases for the high-pressure spark gap. The high-pressure spark gap demonstrates the defined switching response 18, wherein, in the case of a defined voltage rise U with a known rate of rise, the switching point is reached after a defined time t. With the switching point (tS/US), the switching time of the useful spark gap can be predicted comparatively precisely. As already explained, in the case of switching of the high-pressure spark gap, namely the required switching potential for switching the useful spark gap 15 is immediately available. Owing to the low-resistance characteristic of the useful spark gap 15, the central piece 13 has cathode potential at the switching time of the useful spark gap 15. The total voltage between the cathode and the anode is now present at the resistor 17. A current defined by the resistance value of the resistor 17 flows through the resistor. The parasitic inductances of the resistor 17 reduce the system-related current flow through the resistor 17 additionally. Owing to the steep increase in voltage between the central piece 13 and the anode 11, the flashover response of the useful spark gap 15 is positively influenced such that, at the flashover time of the useful spark gap 15, a much higher voltage is present than would be possible owing to conventional striking with a low gradient of the voltage increase. The switching of the useful spark gap 15 at time tS is approximately t0 since the voltage increase is extremely steep owing to the low inductance of the arrangement. The required switching potential US of the useful spark gap 15 is markedly exceeded by the extremely steep voltage gradient. As a result, a voltage which is much higher than the striking voltage is present at the useful spark gap 15 within a very short period of time (nanoseconds). Therefore, a severe flashover through the anode is formed. Owing to this arrangement, the breakdown voltage of the useful spark gap 15 is no longer primarily dependent on US, which is substantially dependent on the geometry and the vacuum, but on the externally applied anode voltage and the corresponding configuration of the high-pressure spark gap 14. The duration of the discharge of the useful spark 15 gap is determined by the capacitance of the arrangement and the energy stored therein and the parasitic inductances in the design.

(6) FIG. 2 shows that the arrangement of the anode 11, the central piece 13, the cathode 12 and a collector 21 is coaxial. In addition, all of these component parts are also centrally symmetrical with respect to the common axis 22 of the coaxial configuration. The high-pressure spark gap is accommodated in a first housing 23, wherein the first housing can be filled with a suitable working gas with the required pressure (filling device not illustrated in any more detail). The useful spark gap 15 is located, together with the collector 21, in a second housing 24, which is evacuated. This second housing also has a window 25, through which X-ray radiation 26 can be coupled out of the housing and can be supplied to an application.

(7) Although the present invention has been disclosed in the form of preferred embodiments and variations thereon, it will be understood that numerous additional modifications and variations could be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention.

(8) For the sake of clarity, it is to be understood that the use of a or an throughout this application does not exclude a plurality, and comprising does not exclude other steps or elements.