Laser interferometric measurements of a laser-preionization-triggered spark column

Journal Article · Sun Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 1986 · IEEE Trans. Plasma Sci.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1109/TPS.1986.4316536· OSTI ID:5536044

Kimura, W D; Kushner, M J; Crawford, E A; Byron, S R

A KrF laser (248 nm) is used to volume preionization trigger 40-100-kV, >10-kA, 100-ns spark gap switch. This method of triggering creates reproducible and axisymmetric spark columns having low temporal and spatial jitter. A short pulse (<5 ns) tunable dye laser and a Mach-Zehnder interferometer are used to obtain spatial and temporal measurements of the spark column. The spatial resolution of the interferograms is better than 5 ..mu..m. The fringe shifts of the interferograms are used to calculate the electron and heavy particle density distributions within the spark column as a function of time during the spark. Results are presented for sparks in 5-percent SF/sub 6// 20-percent N/sub 2//75-percent He and 1-percent Xe/99-percent H/sub 2/ gas mixtures. DC and pulsed self-breakdown voltages are also measured in order to provide a reference for the laser-triggered results. Data on laser-triggering reliability and spark breakdown delay time are also presented.

• Research Organization: Spectra Technology, Inc., Bellevue, WA 98004
• OSTI ID: 5536044
• Journal Information: IEEE Trans. Plasma Sci.; (United States), Journal Name: IEEE Trans. Plasma Sci.; (United States) Vol. PS-14:3; ISSN ITPSB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
420800* -- Engineering-- Electronic Circuits &amp; Devices-- (-1989)
AXIAL SYMMETRY
BREAKDOWN
CURRENTS
DATA
DIRECT CURRENT
DYE LASERS
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
ELECTRIC DISCHARGES
ELECTRIC SPARKS
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
ELECTRON DENSITY
ELEMENTS
EQUIPMENT
EXCIMER LASERS
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FLUIDS
GAS LASERS
GASES
HELIUM
HYDROGEN
INFORMATION
INTERFEROMETERS
INTERFEROMETRY
IONIZATION
KRYPTON FLUORIDE LASERS
LASERS
LIQUID LASERS
MACH-ZEHNDER INTERFEROMETER
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
NITROGEN
NONMETALS
NUMERICAL DATA
QUANTITY RATIO
RARE GASES
RELIABILITY
RESOLUTION
SPARK GAPS
SPATIAL RESOLUTION
SWITCHES
SYMMETRY
TIME RESOLUTION
TIMING PROPERTIES
XENON