Role of Prebreakdown Currents in a Static Breakdown of a Two-Sectioned Cold-Cathode Thyratron

The data on prebreakdown currents and static breakdown voltages measured in two-sectioned sealed-off thyratron with a cold cathode TPI1-10k/50 are presented. The temporal behavior of the anode voltage and of the voltage at the separate sections has been investigated at the prebreakdown and breakdown stages. It is demonstrated that the prebreakdown current presented in the separate sections causes redistribution of the anode voltage between the sections. Due to this effect, a maximum thyratron breakdown voltage can be obtained. The other method to increase the breakdown voltage is based on the forced distribution of the anode voltage between the sections using a capacitive divider. Special features of transition from the prebreakdown to breakdown current are discussed for different thyratron-switching circuits.