Features of the discharge ignition in the trigger unit of the cold-cathode thyratron

The sealed-off cold-cathode thyratron TPI1-10k/50 type with a newly developed trigger unit based on auxiliary glow discharge is investigated. As distinct from the commercially produced sealed-off thyratrons, in the thyratron under investigation the high-emissivity tablet is not used. Features of ignition of the trigger discharge are considered. It has been revealed that the delay time to breakdown in the trigger unit and a jitter in the delay time decrease with an increase in working gas pressure. The delay time can be significantly decreased due to availability of the so-called parasitic current in the electrode system of trigger unit. A capability of the thyratron operation with a stability in delay time no more than 4 ns is demonstrated.