A detonator for initiating a detonation event in an explosive charge. The
detonator comprises an exploding foil initiator and a switch. The
exploding foil initiator includes a detonator bridge with a bridge member
and a bridge contact that are electrically coupled to one another. The
switch includes a switch contact that is spaced apart from the detonator
bridge such that a spark gap of a predetermined width is defined between
the bridge contact and the switch contact. A discharge arc, which is
formed when a voltage in excess of a predetermined gap breakdown voltage
is applied across the spark gap, closes the switch to thereby permit
current to flow between the bridge contact and the switch contact.