Final note to the reader:

Some of the devices I have mentioned are subject to strict control due to their military applications. Non of the above information is however in any way restricted or controlled. For clarity switching devices that are restricted by dual use guidelines are as follows: (courtesy Oak Ridge National Laboratory)

• (a) Cold-cathode tubes (including gas krytron tubes and vacuum sprytron tubes), whether gas filled or not, operating similarly to a spark gap, containing three or more electrodes, and having all of the following characteristics:
  
  

  1. Anode peak voltage rating of 2500 V or more,

  2. Anode peak current rating of 100 A or more,

  3. Anode delay time of 10 microsecond or less, and

• (b) Triggered spark-gaps having an anode delay time of 15 microsecond or less rated for a peak current of 500 A or more;

• (c) Modules or assemblies with a fast switching function having all of the following characteristics:

  1. Anode peak voltage rating greater than 2000 V;

  2. anode peak current rating of 500 A or more; and

  3. turn-on time of 1 microsecond or less.

Acknowledgements:

I would like to thank the following for their help and assistance:

Carey Sublette for providing a great deal of help and encouragement.

Roy Schmaus for providing the original site for this information.

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