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Most switches used for high current, high voltage accelerator applications are vacuum or gas switches, such as spark gaps and thyratrons. Recently, high voltage IGBT based switches have become common, but are limited in current and are not compact. This paper will describe a compact, high current, high voltage solid state switch. These switches have been tested to 50kV, to greater than 12kA, to greater than 50kA/μs, to 360Hz, and to 3x108 pulses, without failure. They have been used in accelerators to drive klystrons and kickers, and have been used as crowbars while offering advantages over thyratron switches for cost, lifetime, size and weight. The switches are based on series connected fast thyristors with 3cm2 die in a 20cm2 package. This package is more compact than TO-200 Puk sized devices, and does not require compression for proper operation. Each package is rated for 4kV, 14kA and 30kA/μs. One example, a 48kV switch which includes the trigger and snubber circuits, fits in a volume of 200mm x 85mm x 65mm, and requires only a fiber-optic trigger input. Such switches have been used on SRS and EMMA at Daresbury Laboratory in the UK, and at several US national laboratories.
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