Low inductance spark gap switch for Blumlein-driven lasers

Journal Article · Mon Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1979 · Rev. Sci. Instrum.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1136029· OSTI ID:5803186

Keto, J W; Raymond, T D; Walsh, S T

We report the design of a low inductance park gap switch for Blumlein-driven lasers which is highly reliable under conditions of high repetition rate and high average power. The reported spark gap has provided reproducible pulse waveforms without maintenance for 10/sup 8/ shots in a Blumlein-driven nitrogen laser. When operated with a nitrogen--SF/sub 6/ mixture in the laser tube, this laser provided peak powers in excess of 3 MW at 5-Hz repetition rate and an average power of 0.5 W at 120-Hz repetition rate.

• Research Organization: Physics Department of the Electronics Research Center, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712
• OSTI ID: 5803186
• Journal Information: Rev. Sci. Instrum.; (United States), Journal Name: Rev. Sci. Instrum.; (United States) Vol. 51:1; ISSN RSINA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
420300* -- Engineering-- Lasers-- (-1989)
CRYOGENIC FLUIDS
DATA
DISPERSIONS
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
ELEMENTS
EQUIPMENT
FLUIDS
FLUORIDES
FLUORINE COMPOUNDS
GAS LASERS
HALIDES
HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
INFORMATION
LASERS
LIFETIME
MIXTURES
NITROGEN
NONMETALS
PULSES
SPARK GAPS
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SULFUR FLUORIDES
SWITCHES