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High Power Switch--Diversified Technologies, Inc., 35 Wiggins Avenue, Bedford, MA 01730-2314; 781-275-9444
Dr. Jeffrey Casey, Principal Investigator
Mr. Micheal A. Kempkes, Business Official
DOE Grant No. DE-FG02-99ER82778
Amount: $627,596
High power switching in high energy physics applications currently uses vacuum and gas tube technologies, such as thyratrons and ignitrons. However, the Next Generation Linear Collider will require the use of new solid-state switch technology, which has the potential to satisfy aggressive performance goals with lower cost and improved reliability. This project will utilize proven insulated gate biopolar transistor switching technology to replace the tubes in Pulse Forming Network (PFN) pulsing and crowbar protection systems with fast, solid state, series switches. In Phase I, high power switches, capable of replacing thyratrons in accelerator applications and scalable to the needs of other colliders and high power applications, were designed. The control systems required to provide fast response to arc conditions were prototyped. In Phase II, a complete 100kV, 50A CW opening switch system will be prototyped and tested in collaboration with Argonne National Laboratory (ANL). This switch will be evaluated as a possible replacement for ANL's mercury ignitron crowbar system at the laboratory's Advanced Photon Source. Methods for reducing the unit cost of a solid state opening switch will also be addressed.
Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: Many of the drawbacks of existing thyratron and ignitron circuits -- cost, lack of reliability, and use of hazardous materials -- could be eliminated by using solid state switches. High power, solid state switches could save millions of dollars in capital and operating costs in future accelerators and in commercial operations, such as plasma-
based materials modification and semiconductor fabrication.