Investigation of the mechanism of switching a short vacuum gap using an auxiliary spark discharge

The ionization of a rarefied gas in a short gap by a stream of short-wave radiation and fast electrons from the plasma of an auxiliary spark discharge along the dielectric surface is detected, sufficient to initiate an arc discharge in the gap. The density of the ionizing flow of particles and radiation determines the delay time of the switching gap in relation to the start of the auxiliary discharge. With an increase in the initial concentration of free electrons in the main discharge gap, the transition time to an arc discharge is reduced, due to the development of instabilities.