Repetitive Electron-Beam Controlled Switching

Previous investigators have demonstrated the feasibility of using an ionizing electron beam to control the conductivity of a gaseous volume-discharge switch. We consider the possibility of using such switches repetitively at high-power levels (up to 1010 W), with switch opening and closing times as short as several nanoseconds. An analysis of the relevant gas chemistry indicates that these requirements can best be met by using a nonelectronegative base gas with a high electron mobility, diluted with a small percentage of an electronegative gas. Detailed chemistry simulations, using the nonelectronegative gas N2 and the electronegative gas O2, are presented to support the analysis.