Laser-triggered vacuum switch

Patent Application · Tue Sep 27 00:00:00 EDT 1988

OSTI ID:5463819

Brannon, P J; Cowgill, D F

This invention pertains to a laser-triggered vacuum switch that has a material such as a alkali metal halide on the cathode electrode for thermally activated field emission of electrons and ions upon interaction with a laser beam, the material being in contact with the cathode with a surface facing the discharge gap. The material is preferably a mixture of KCl and Ti powders. The laser may either shine directly on the material, preferably through a hole in the anode, or be directed to the material over a fiber optic cable. 6 figs.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-76DP00789
• Assignee: Dept. of Energy
• Patent Number(s): PATENTS-US-A7249815
• Application Number: ON: DE91017346; PPN: US 7-249815
• OSTI ID: 5463819
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
PLASMA SWITCHES
DESIGN
APERTURES
CATHODES
INVENTIONS
LASER-PRODUCED PLASMA
OPTICAL FIBERS
POTASSIUM CHLORIDES
POWDERS
PULSES
TITANIUM
ALKALI METAL COMPOUNDS
CHLORIDES
CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
ELECTRODES
ELEMENTS
EQUIPMENT
FIBERS
HALIDES
HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
METALS
OPENINGS
PLASMA
POTASSIUM COMPOUNDS
SWITCHES
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
426000* - Engineering- Components
Electron Devices & Circuits- (1990-)