Roger et al:
?Some hv diodes are PiN, there is an intrinsic band.?
Supposedly the IN4007 is one of the commonly available diodes which some people claimed had an "i" layer. Used them as low cost RF PiN diodes.
My mind is wandering again. I have to look at Roger's idea of a series regulator again. Is it possible to use some more common part in stead of the JFET pass transistor? in your circuit ?
The actual voltage drop across the pass transistor is small so some more generic part could be used ?
P