High voltage, low inductance hydrogen thyratron study program, phase 5

50 kv per stage dynamic breakdown voltage (DBV) was demonstrated in low inductance multistage hydrogen thyratrons for total voltages up to nearly 200 kv, at pressures consistent with a 10 ns current rise time. High peak current operation has been demonstrated up to 14 ka at 56 kv (the limits of our high current test kit). Bottom stage holdoff the per stage DBV are comparable to that of the best single stage thyratrons, bottom stage holdoff, stage voltage addition, and prefire problems are solved.