Long Life Rotating ARC Gap Coaxial Switch for MEGA-AMP, Kilo-Coulomb, High Action Switching of Multi-MJ Capacitor Banks

Titan Pulse Sciences Division (Titan) has developed and extensively tested a scaled down version of the rotating arc gap (RAG) switch that had been previously considered for the National Ignition Facility laser system capacitor banks at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. The new switch is a candidate for the French CEA mega-Joule laser (LMJ) power conditioning system; switching 250 kA and < 75 Cb per shot at 24 kV with an expected 10,000 shot life before major maintenance.