This SBIR effort focused on developing very fast solid state opening switch systems capable of replacing conventional crowbars (closing switches) over a very wide range of high power voltage and peak current conditions. The switches function in both pulsed and CW operation fast enough to prevent damage to the klystron, gyrotron, or ion source. In Phase I, DTI developed the very fast circuitry required to make this goal a reality. Our Phase II effort focused on implementing these circuits in a prototype High Power Switch to replace the mercury ignitron crowbars in Argonne National Laboratory's Advanced Photon Source. The unit can switch 10 MW of power in less than 50 nanoseconds, and was delivered to Argonne in 2002.

Traditional high power crowbars limit the performance of many high-energy physics systems. This high power solid state switch technology offers lower cost, higher power efficiency, and improved reliability for existing and planned DOE physics programs. Retrofitting of older systems will provide similar benefits.

<<back to Past Research list>>

High Power Switch