High Voltage Liquid Dielectric Repetitive Opening Switch

This program is to develop repetitive opening switches capable of switching average currents of kiloamps at voltages of hundreds of kV to MV's using a new class of liquid dielectrics. This family of liquids has very high drift velocity and low conduction losses for electrons within a particular energy band. The liquid is not subjected to ionization, it simply acts as a conductor of electricity or as an insulator. It has a much higher dielectric strength than gases or semiconductors of similar size. This technology is not related to a liquid spark gap because the liquid is not broken down during conduction. The repetition rate potentialof the switch appears to be very good with 10's of kHz perhaps being achievable. This switch will have primary commercial applications to current interruption devices for commercial electric power utilities, for controlling repetitive medical accelerators, and for controlling x-ray lithography units. Defense applications include high voltage control for large electron beam guns for lasers and control of injectors for repetitive particle beam accelerators.