Momentary interruption of current passing through zero in subnanosecond high-pressure gas-discharge switches

Data are reported for the performance of subnanosecond high-pressure gas-discharge switches aimed at generating high-voltage bipolar voltage pulses with a width of less than 1 ns, an amplitude of up to 200 kV, and a repetition rate of 100 Hz. Pulse formers, in which the polarity of the current passing through the switch does not change in the course of switching, seem to be the most appropriate. When the current changes sign, passing through zero, the effect of its momentary interruption is observed. The explanation of this effect is that, when the voltage across the gap reverses, a certain time interval is necessary for a cathode layer to form, which can transmit a high discharge current at a low voltage drop across the layer.