Patent ID: 7649284

Claim:
A high-voltage pulse generating circuit comprising: an inductor, a first semiconductor switch, and a second semiconductor switch, which are connected in series with each other between opposite ends of a DC power supply unit; a first diode having a cathode terminal thereof connected to another end of said inductor, said inductor having one end thereof connected to an anode terminal of said first semiconductor switch, and said first diode having an anode terminal thereof connected to a gate terminal of said first semiconductor switch; gate current supply means for supplying a gate current to the gate terminal of said first semiconductor switch, based on turning on said second semiconductor switch; and another power supply for providing a power supply voltage that is lower than the power supply voltage of said DC power supply unit, wherein said gate current supply means comprises a second diode between said another power supply and said gate terminal of said first semiconductor switch, and said second diode has a forward direction oriented from said another power supply toward said gate terminal.