Compact, low jitter, triggered spark gap

High energy particle accelerators using compact, high gradient cavities will require small, highly reliable, triggered spark gaps. This paper will discuss the design and development of V/N triggered spark gaps operating from 520 kV to 1280 kV. Spark gap jitter of <3 ns has been obtained with trigger voltages of 60 kV. Capacitively balancing the trigger blade electrode, coupled with a trigger voltage rise time of 10 ns, produces three or more arcs across the main electrode gaps. A 2.3 ..cap omega.. injector using 12 parallel spark gaps operating at 1280 kV has been successfully tested. The total number of shots on this injector exceeds 700 without having to refurbish the gaps. A 0.44 ..cap omega.. accelerating cavity with 24 parallel spark gaps and operating at 520 kV charge voltage has also been tested.