Switch Drivers
All of our switch drivers are made to be triggered via 1mm plastic fiber optic for distances of 20 meters. Extended ranges are available by use of improved fiber or overdriven transmitters. The standard fiber has an attenuation of 0.22 dB/m while compatible HCS fiber is available with 0.008 dB/m. Standard fiber transmitter drive level is 40 mA. This is extendable up to 1000 mA for very short pulses.
Our drivers were originally designed for compatibility with capacitor pulse discharge applications at low frequencies (<1 Hz) with maximum delivered power to the switch. For some applications modifications can be made to permit higher pulse rates at the expense of energy delivered per pulse.
Pseudospark / Thyratron Driver (40kV Isolation)
Our Pseudospark / Thyratron drivers are designed with the Pulsed Technologies Corporation's copper vapor series of switches in mind. These drivers are designed for maximum electrical durability and minimum jitter for a solid state driver.
Our individual switch driver units are intended to be placed in very close proximity to the switch. The outputs are insulated up to 40 kV to permit use of the switches in all typical circuit configurations. Unit may withstand higher isolation voltages but is not tested for such.
| t-rise: | 20 ns |
| Voltage: | 6 kV |
| I-peak: | 200 A |
| Jitter: | 10 ns |
| Voltage Isolation: | 40 kV |
Standard Models
| Cat# | Description | Price |
|---|
| THYDRV6_200 | Single Thyratron Driver | $1,187 |
Heater
The TDI switch series also requires a resevoir heater. This product serves that purpose for the typical range of switch parameters. The delivered heater voltage is set by two hex based knobs. 00 = 3.8 volts, FF = 5.8 volts.
The output is short circuit limited and ramped to extend the life of the resevoir heater. Two colored fiber transmitters indicate the state of the output. Common errors, such as output disconnected and output shorted are clearly indicated.
Some applications require very high isolation voltages and / or the ability to drive two heater reservoirs from one unit. These modifications come at the cost of some short circuit immunity.
| Voltage: | 3.8 - 5.8 V |
| Isolation Voltage: | 40 kV |
Standard Models
| Cat# | Description | Price |
|---|
| THYHTR38_58_40 | Single Thyratron Heater | $250 |
Non-Standard Models
| Cat# | Description | Price |
|---|
| THYHTR38_58_60 | Single Thyratron Heater, 40+ kV isolation | $300 |
| THYHTR38_58_40D | Double Thyratron Heater, | $300 |
| THYHTR38_58_60D | Double Thyratron Heater, 40+ kV isolation | $400 |
Pseudospark / Thyratron Driver (Integral Heater Driver & 40kV Isolation)
Rack mount configured drivers can be convenient for applications mounting many switches nearby. This product was developed in response to that demand. Other mounting configurations are available upon request.
Driver Specifications
| t-rise: | 20 ns |
| Voltage: | 6 kV |
| I-peak: | 200 A |
| Jitter: | 10 ns |
| Voltage Isolation: | 40 kV |
Heater Specifications
| Voltage: | 3.8 - 5.8 V |
| Isolation Voltage: | 40 kV |
Standard Models
| Cat# | Description | Price |
|---|
| THYHTRDRVSRM6_200_38_58_40 | Single Thyratron Heater + Driver | $1,500 |
| THYHTRDRVDRM6_200_38_58_40 | Double Thyratron Heater + Driver | $3,000 |
Ignitron Driver (40kV Isolation)
In addition to copper vapor switch drivers we also provide ignitron drivers designed to maximize the performance of common ignitrons (types A through D) for use in pulsed applications. These drivers are designed to deliver the maximum safe energy to trigger pins ensuring consistent operation and higher impedance trigger pins over the long term.
| t-rise: | 20 ns |
| Voltage: | 3 kV |
| I-peak: | 400 A |
| Jitter: | 10 ns |
| Voltage Isolation: | 40 kV |
Standard Models
| Cat# | Description | Price |
|---|
| IGNDRV3_400 | Single Driver | $1,200 |
| IGNDRVDRM3_400 | Double Rack Mount Driver | $2,500 |