Optically Pumped High Power Solid State Switch

Advanced high-power solid state switches are desired to improve energy efficiency, increase lifetime, and decrease operating costs of RF accelerators. This project will develop compact, low cost, optically pumped silicon switches that can achieve (1) current risetimes less than 50 ns while operating at up to 10 kA peak current, (2) di/dt > 100 kA/µs, and (3) a capability of blocking >5 kV. The fast turn-on time of these switches will minimize switching losses, resulting in lower cooling requirements, as well as higher average power and greater repetition rate operation, compared to other high power silicon switches. In Phase I, optically pumped switches demonstrated 50ns current risetimes to 1kA. This result was achieved by modifying existing electrically-triggered high-power silicon devices. In Phase II, new high-power silicon devices will be developed, based on the results from Phase I. Improved optical sources also will be developed. These two components will be integrated with the goal of achieving a commercial product. Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: Advanced high power solid state switches should increase the efficiency of power generation, electrical transmission, radar, and medical instruments, and increase the reliability of the electrical power grid. Customers would include utility companies, medical instrument manufacturers, power supply manufacturers, and the Department of Defense