78
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: $99,515
Existing solutions for high power switching in high energy physics applications are built upon 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 that 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. Phase I will design high power switches capable of replacing thyratrons in accelerator applications. The switches will be scalable to the needs of other colliders and high power applications. Also, the control systems required to provide fast response to arc conditions will be prototyped.
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 – can be eliminated with the use of solid state switches. The high power, solid state switches should save millions of dollars in capital and operating costs in future accelerators and commercial operations, such as plasma-based materials modification and semiconductor fabrication.