A method of improving the voltage recovery time of high pressure gas s
witches is described and demonstrated, By changing the electrode geome
try of a normally uniform field switch, it is possible to suitably alt
er the breakdown voltage/pressure (Vip) characteristic The desired V/p
characteristic for improved voltage recovery is one which exhibits tw
o different rates of rise of breakdown voltage with pressure, such tha
t at high enough pressures, the breakdown voltage becomes almost indep
endent of pressure. Full voltage recovery may then be achieved during
the fast dV/dp section of the curve while only partial pressure recove
ry is achieved, This effect is demonstrated in a switch filled with SF
6. An improvement in the voltage recovery time of greater than 10 ms t
o similar to 1 ms was observed when the operating pressure was increas
ed from 3-6 bar.