Solid state gaps - what happened? (fwd)

["Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Wed, 6 Jun 2007 15:29:06 -0400
From: "Lau, Gary" <Gary.Lau@xxxxxx>
To: Tesla list <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Solid state gaps - what happened?

Just about a year ago Terry Fritz came up with a very clever, modular
IGBT-based replacement to the static spark gap.  While the price tag was
steep and far more complex than conventional gaps, the reported
efficiency gains seemed hard to ignore.  It wasn't clear to me if the
SISG was truly a drop-in replacement to conventional gaps, but it seemed
to hold great promise, considering the ever-decreasing cost of silicon.
I recall there was ongoing work on triggered versions too.  I don't
recall if quenching (or lack there-of) was thought to be an issue.

Now a year later, not a word to be heard on the topic.  I'm just
wondering - was the cost just too high and the practical efficiency gain
didn't merit the cost, or if one is going the spendy/complex solid state
route, DRSSTC's do better, or did we just forget about it without Terry
to tout it?

Regards, Gary Lau
MA, USA