Abstract: A multichannel spark-gap with multiple intervals for use in pulsed high-power generators of the LTD family. The spark-gap includes a sealed chamber, two discharge electrodes connected to electrical connecting elements, and a number of intermediate electrodes arranged uniformly inside the sealed chamber. One of the intermediate electrodes is called triggering electrode and is connected to triggering elements enabling the spark-gap to be fired. The triggering electrode further includes integral pipes enabling a gas to be distributed inside the chamber, so as to improve the voltage strength of the spark-gap. The spark-gap is characterised in that the negative discharge electrode includes a corona effect device equipped with needles whereof the geometry is adapted to compensate for the differences in shape between the negative discharge electrode and the immediately adjacent intermediate electrode so as to ensure a homogeneous distribution of the potentials inside the sealed chamber.

Abstract: Spark-gap device including two discharge electrodes (2; 3) each having an elongated conductor portion (10; 5), called the active portion, with a connecting longitudinal end (11; 7) fixed to a connector. The electrodes are arranged in such a way that, when an electric arc is generated, the arc is formed between the active portions and the resulting electric current induces a magnetic field moving the electric arc along the active portions, preferably at an erosion-limiting high speed. At least a discharge electrode further includes at least a second conductor portion (9, 16; 6), called the passive portion, electrically connected to the connector and/or the active portion and with a form adapted to prevent a spontaneous electric arc from being inopportunely generated in normal usage conditions of the device.

Abstract: A multichannel spark-gap with multiple intervals for use in pulsed high-power generators of the LTD family. The spark-gap includes a sealed chamber, two discharge electrodes connected to electrical connecting elements, and a number of intermediate electrodes arranged uniformly inside the sealed chamber. One of the intermediate electrodes is called triggering electrode and is connected to triggering elements enabling the spark-gap to be fired. The triggering electrode further includes integral pipes enabling a gas to be distributed inside the chamber, so as to improve the voltage strength of the spark-gap. The spark-gap is characterised in that the negative discharge electrode includes a corona effect device equipped with needles whereof the geometry is adapted to compensate for the differences in shape between the negative discharge electrode and the immediately adjacent intermediate electrode so as to ensure a homogeneous distribution of the potentials inside the sealed chamber.

Abstract: Spark-gap device including two discharge electrodes (2; 3) each having an elongated conductor portion (10; 5), called the active portion, with a connecting longitudinal end (11; 7) fixed to a connector. The electrodes are arranged in such a way that, when an electric arc is generated, the arc is formed between the active portions and the resulting electric current induces a magnetic field moving the electric arc along the active portions, preferably at an erosion-limiting high speed. At least a discharge electrode further includes at least a second conductor portion (9, 16; 6), called the passive portion, electrically connected to the connector and/or the active portion and with a form adapted to prevent a spontaneous electric arc from being inopportunely generated in normal usage conditions of the device.

Abstract: A device and a method for generating intense and brief variations of magnetic pressure, predetermined and controlled, capable of being isentropic inside a sample (23) of solid material. An electromagnetic cell (1) includes a flat parallel line of conductive material having two branches (4, 5) in the form of planar plates, of similar shapes and dimensions, separated from each other by a distance of not more than 3 mm, one of which (4) bears the sample (23) rigidly fixed on the branch (4), the two branches (4, 5) being electrically connected to each other by an end junction strip (7), and electrically connected, opposite the end junction strip, to elements (2, 3) generating electric current pulses so as to produce in less than 500 ns an electric current flowing in the electronic cell (1).