Design, Fabrication, and Characterization of a Planar Three-Electrode Trigger Switch Based on Flexible Printed Circuit Process

Abstract

An exploding foil initiator system (EFIs) is essential in modern weaponry for its safety and reliability. As the main component of EFIs, the performance of the switch is critical to EFIs. In this study, a planar three-electrode trigger switch was designed and fabricated using the Flexible Printed Circuits (FPC) process. Subsequently, the performance of the FPC switch was tested. The results show that the self-breakdown voltage of the FPC switch is stable. In addition, an FPF switch with a 0.6 mm main electrode gap demonstrated consistency, with delay times below 31.75 ns, and a jitter ranging from 1.7 ns to 10.94 ns at 900 V to 1200 V, evidencing the FPC switches’ reliability and uniform performance across various voltages. Compared to the Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) switches of similar dimensions, the FPC switches achieved a faster high-current attainment with less inductance, showing a 5% reduction in loop inductance. The repetitive testing results demonstrate that the FPC switch maintains consistent output performance, with stable peak currents, peak current time, and delay time over 50 action cycles, highlighting its repeatability. The FPC switch was assembled with an EFI chip and capacitor into an integrated system, which was subsequently able to successfully detonate HNS-IV at 1000 V/0.22 μF, proving the FPC switch’s potential in low inductance applications.