PowerMod solid-state switches provide nearly ideal switching behavior, as shown in the 22 kV, 80 A pulse below. Less than 1 mA of leakage current is present when the switch is open. When closed, the voltage drop across the switch is less than 3 V/ kV. Switching can occur in as little as 50 nanoseconds, and pulse repetition frequencies up to 30 kHz are available. Pulsewidths are variable on a pulse-to-pulse basis from 1 microsecond to DC.

Switches require only 110 VAC power for operation, and accept pulse commands via fiber optic link. Fiber optic outputs are provided for status monitoring. Switches can utilize existing voltage and current monitoring and control circuits. Such circuits can also be provided by DTI as part of the switch assembly. This design allows the entire switch to float at up to 200 kV where required.

Switch modules are controlled at ground with a simple, magnetically-coupled loop and are easy to operate in floating high voltage circuits. They require no ancillary high-voltage isolated power and operate fully "on" or fully "off", greatly easing high-voltage management when compared to conventional floating decks and ancillary circuitry.

A PowerMod™ solid-state switch can be employed as an "opening switch", an alternative to the protective crowbars found in sophisticated high voltage, high power radar transmitters and accelerators. An opening switch opens in less than a microsecond when an arc is sensed, yet can be closed immediately. Because the energy-storage capacitor does not discharge during an arc, high voltage (and RF) can be turned on again immediately after the arc clears. In addition, no series resistor is required in the system, so using a solid-state opening-switch yields high circuit efficiency, and lower life cycle costs. Finally, a solid-state opening switch uses no hazardous elements such as found in mercury-containing ignitrons.

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60 kV, 50 A Switch Module Assembly

High power opening switch installed at Argonne National Laboratory