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Title: Nanosecond high-power dense microplasma switch for visible light

Journal Article · · Applied Physics Letters
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4902914· OSTI ID:22402432
; ;  [1]
  1. Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095 (United States)

Spark discharges in high-pressure gas are known to emit a broadband spectrum during the first 10 s of nanoseconds. We present calibrated spectra of high-pressure discharges in xenon and show that the resulting plasma is optically thick. Laser transmission data show that such a body is opaque to visible light, as expected from Kirchoff's law of thermal radiation. Nanosecond framing images of the spark absorbing high-power laser light are presented. The sparks are ideal candidates for nanosecond, high-power laser switches.

OSTI ID:
22402432
Journal Information:
Applied Physics Letters, Vol. 105, Issue 22; Other Information: (c) 2014 AIP Publishing LLC; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0003-6951
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English