A HIGH-VOLTAGE SINGLE-SHOT SWITCH IMPLEMENTED WITH A MOSFET CURRENT SOURCE AND AVALANCHE-DIODE

The description of a novel circuit which utilizes a field-effect trans istor (FET) current source and a high-voltage diode to realize a simpl e inexpensive single-shot high-voltage switch is presented, The switch was specifically designed for use with fast low-impedance pulse-power discharge circuits such as those commonly used for plasma physics and high-pressure research, This switch can also be utilized in any appli cation where speed, low cost, and small size are important concerns, T he design readily lends itself to implementation as a discrete compone nt or hybrid circuit, The circuit has been simulated and the design pa rameters of the configuration have been numerically investigated utili zing PSPICE. These simulations and experimental data are presented.